Many organisms use the properties of bioluminescence to attract pray or distract predators.  And chameleons use camouflage to blend in as a form of proptection.  This fascinating organism has another trick:

Sea sapphires have been described as “the most beautiful animal you’ve never seen”. Even when you do see them, they can vanish in an instant (see video, above). But how do they pull off their trick?

This tiny crustacean has alternating layers of hexagonal guanine crystals and cytoplasm on its back that reflect light in a sparkling array of hues.

In blue sea sapphires, the distance between the crystals is about the same as the wavelength of blue light, so the animals appear blue.

Let’s watch this organism go invisible in the video on page 2

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