Fire salamanders reflect a turquoise light when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, according to a study published this month [1].
The discovery of biofluorescence in *Salamandra salamandra* suggests that these amphibians possess hidden visual signals that may influence how they interact with their environment.
An international research team identified the glow after exposing the animals to UV radiation [1], [2]. The findings were detailed in a paper published in Royal Society Open Science in May 2026 [1], [2]. This biological trait allows the salamanders to absorb high-energy light and re-emit it as a lower-energy turquoise hue [1].
Researchers are now examining the biological function of this fluorescence to determine how it serves the animal in the wild [3]. One primary hypothesis is that the glow may act as a deterrent to scare away potential predators [3]. The study marks a significant step in understanding the sensory world of amphibians, a group often overlooked in biofluorescence research.
While many animals are known to be biofluorescent, the specific turquoise emission in fire salamanders provides a new data point for evolutionary biologists [1]. The team focused on the specific wavelengths of light to ensure the glow was a result of biofluorescence rather than simple reflection [2].
“Fire salamanders reflect a turquoise light when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.”
The identification of biofluorescence in fire salamanders indicates that animal communication and defense mechanisms may rely on visual spectrums invisible to humans. If the turquoise glow serves as a warning signal to predators, it suggests a complex evolutionary adaptation where UV-sensitive predators are deterred by a signal that remains hidden from other species.
