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A REEL Deep Dive

Short answer: Female deep-sea anglerfish have a bioluminescent lure, called an esca, on a modified dorsal fin spine that extends over the head. The glow attracts prey in the dark depths.

When prey comes close, the anglerfish opens its large, hinged jaw and swallows it whole in an instant. The footage shows an anglerfish on the seafloor.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about A REEL Deep Dive?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Female anglerfish carry the lure.

    DD-306-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Females)

  2. The lure is a modified dorsal spine.

    DD-306-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Spine)

Video transcript: A REEL Deep Dive: A Female Anglerfish Carries Her Own Glowing Fishing Rod

Female anglerfish possess a bioluminescent lure that extends from a modified dorsal spine on their heads. This glowing fishing rod attracts prey in the pitch black depths where the anglerfish lives. When the prey is close enough, the anglerfish opens its large, hinged jaw with lightning speed, engulfing its meal whole. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 16.3s Reel ·

Video coming soonA REEL Deep Dive · Instagram Reel
A REEL Deep Dive: A Female Anglerfish Carries Her Own Glowing Fishing Rod Instagram Reel · · 16.3s

The write-up

A female anglerfish carries her own glowing fishing rod. The lure is a modified spine from her dorsal fin.

  1. Exhibit A

    Females

    Female anglerfish carry the lure.

  2. Exhibit B

    Spine

    The lure is a modified dorsal spine.

  3. Exhibit C

    Glow

    It is bioluminescent.

  4. Exhibit D

    Dark

    It attracts prey in dark water.

  5. Exhibit E

    Jaws

    They swallow prey whole.

Questions people ask about A REEL Deep Dive

Which anglerfish carry the lure?

Deep-sea species.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Females) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish

What is the lure made from?

Modified.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Spine) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish

Why does it glow?

Bioluminescence.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Glow) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish

Where do they live?

Pitch black.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Dark) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish

How do they eat prey?

A big hinged jaw.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Jaws) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Which anglerfish carry the lure?

    1. Females
    2. Males
    3. Juveniles only
    4. None
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Females Deep-sea species. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Females) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish

  2. What is the lure made from?

    1. A dorsal fin spine
    2. A tooth
    3. A tail
    4. A scale
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A dorsal fin spine Modified. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Spine) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish

  3. Why does it glow?

    1. To attract prey
    2. To stay warm
    3. To hide
    4. To sleep
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. To attract prey Bioluminescence. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Glow) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish

  4. Where do they live?

    1. The deep sea
    2. Rivers
    3. Deserts
    4. Lakes
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The deep sea Pitch black. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Dark) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish

  5. How do they eat prey?

    1. Whole
    2. In tiny bites
    3. Never
    4. By filtering
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Whole A big hinged jaw. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Jaws) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "A REEL Deep Dive." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-306, last updated Aug 23, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/a-reel-deep-dive/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/a-reel-deep-dive/ · Last updated

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