Imagine you were out in your backyard when suddenly, a hot-pink squirrel flew by. That’s exactly what happened to a biologist in Wisconsin when he flashed his flashlight at a southern flying squirrel, a small, furry creature. Typically it has a warm brown color, but in the beam of a flashlight, the squirrel had a neon glow similar to what you would find in a jazzercise class circa 1988. The discovery prompted researchers to examine more than 100 specimens of flying squirrels under UV light, which led to an astounding discovery: The pink is real. While ultraviolet fluorescence is common in birds, butterflies and sea creatures, scientists haven’t often observed it in mammals. What the flying squirrels get out of it is still a mystery, but it could mean that squirrels are capable of seeing in ultraviolet wavelengths.
Scientists discover flying squirrels that glow pink in the dark
More of Today's Solutions
AI to the rescue: how technology slashes stillbirths and saves lives in Malawi
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When Ellen Kaphamtengo, 18, experienced intense stomach pain late in her pregnancy, she trusted her intuition. With her ...
Read MoreSave the spirit guardians: Hawaiian crows get a fresh start on Maui
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For the first time in decades, five Hawaiian crows, or 'alalā, are soaring freely on the lush slopes ...
Read MoreSingapore’s Seletar airport considers plans for electric flying taxis
Seletar Airport is the city-state of Singapore’s lesser known second airport. It’s a small airfield normally frequented only by private jets, but soon it ...
Read MoreVent to your friends without bringing them down with these expert-approved tips
We've all had days when everything seemed to go wrong. Workplace drama or an argument with a loved one can really get us fired ...
Read More
