Sunday, September 1, 2013

Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand




The Waitomo Glowworm Cave is a cave on the North Island of New Zealand. It is known for its population of glow worms that can only be found in New Zealand. These worms spin a nest of silk on the ceiling of the cave that hangs down. The larva glows to attract prey into its threads. The roof of a cave covered with these larva can look like the heavens at night. A hungry larva glows much brighter than one which just has eaten. The glowing is a result of a chemical reaction in the worms tail which insects seem irresistibly drawn towards the source where they get stuck and become sustenance to the worms. These worms have solved the biggest problem of permanent cave dwellers, finding a regular reliable food source