Scientists discover ‘glowing’ sea turtle off Solomon Islands

It is the first time scientists have seen a turtle displaying biofluorescence

The turtle was discovered in the Solomon Islands (National Geographic)

It glowed, like one might think of a starship. And it moved with utter fluidity.

These were the thoughts of scientists who have revealed discovering a turtle that glows neon red and green.

National Geographic reported that marine biologist David Gruber made the find during a dive in July in the Solomon Islands.

“It bumped into us and hung out with us,” he said.

Mr Gruber told National Geographic that during a dive in which his team was filming sharks and coral reefs, they saw what appeared to be a spaceship; it was glowing neon green and red. The turtle was captured on video before it swam away.

It transpired that the turtle is a critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle. It is the first ever found that exhibits “biofluorescence,” which is the ability to reflect blue light hitting a surface and appearing as a different colour.

It’s not clear why the turtles have this ability, but scientists say it could be a camouflage. Mr Gruber said that the presence of biofluorescence was well known in coral and other marine life.

Yet he said scientists would only understand the working of the biofluorescence in the turtle if they were able to study one of the reptiles up close.

“I’ve been [studying turtles] for a long time and I don’t think anyone’s ever seen this,” said Alexander Gaos, director of the Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative. “This is really quite amazing.”