Bioluminescence is one of the most beautiful abilities ever seen in nature.

Plankton

While the Maldives islands are the most well-known place to spot this phenomenon, it happens on coastlines all over the world. Bioluminescent phytoplankton (the plant kind) light up the ocean with their bright blue glow when they are stressed by the movement of the waves. As the tide brings them in, they are pushed together and create an incredible scene straight from a fairy tale

Millipedes

Eight of the 12,000 species of millipede are able to glow a greenish-blue at night, even though they are otherwise brown. Although the creepy crawlies are herbivores and have no need to attract prey, their light could warn predators of the fact that they excrete deadly cyanide from their pores.

Glowworms

Glowworms are actually gnat larvae which emit their bright light for various reasons. While some of them glow to warn potential predators that they are mildly toxic, others do it to attract prey, which then gets caught in their silky strand that allows them to hang from cave walls. The most famous place to find these "worms" in all their glory is the magical Waitomo Glowworm Cave in New Zealand.

Snails

When the clusterwink snail feels like it's threatened, it withdraws inside the shell and glows a bright green. The shell then shines from within, making it look like the snail is actually a much bigger organism that no crab would ever want to mess with.

Comb Jellies

These gelatinous creatures get their name from the eight rows of tiny, comb-like plates that propel them through the water. While some species glow a bright green or blue in the darkness, others simply scatter light as their combs move, creating a dazzling (but technically not bioluminescent) rainbow effect

Fireflies

Organs located under their abdomens enable the creatures to signal that they're looking for a mate, but the light can also warn potential predators that these adorable bugs are much more fun to look at than they are to eat. Even their larvae can produce the signature yellow glow.

Clams

The common piddock is about seven inches long, and it's been was discovered that there are several things that will make it glow a bright blue. The first experience was when Roman statesman Pliny noticed that his breath lit up the air when he ate the creature raw. Recent studies also show that the piddock glows in the presence of free radicals, which may mean new advancements in how we detect cancer in its early stages.

Anglerfish

Female anglerfishes' dorsal spines protrude above their mouths and are attached to a piece of flesh at the tip that glows and attracts prey. When their food gets close enough, they are immediately chomped up by large jaws and terrifyingly sharp teeth

Roaches

The two glowing spots on the backs of these bugs are actually a disguise that makes them look like the poisonous click beetle. Unfortunately, these recently-discovered creatures might have already gone extinct due to a volcanic eruption near their Ecuador habitat in 2010. It's the only organism known to have used bioluminescence for defensive mimicry.

Fungi

There are over 70 species of bioluminescent fungi in the world, and they can be found everywhere. For some species of mushrooms, the light attracts bugs that help disperse their spores, aiding in reproductio

Squid

Many squid practice counterillumination, which means that they make themselves glow to match the color and intensity of the light coming in from above. This prevents potential predators, who might have looked up after seeing a shadow of the squid, from pinpointing exactly where their lunch might be swimming.