Glowworms

Usually, turning off the headlamp when exploring a cave is not an overly clever idea – but in New Zealand it is! In some river caves it can lead to a surreal visual experience when faced not with pitch-black surroundings but instead a spellbinding display of sparkling blue stars on the ceiling and their reflection in the cave stream. After a while, our eyes adjust to the dark and we realise the intensity of this subtle, silent light show. Responsible for this stunning peculiarity that makes New Zealand’s underground realm unique in the world is – believe it or not – a slimy maggot, the glowworm Arachnocampa luminosa. Check out our coffee-table book New Zealand Karst: A Voyage Across Limestone Landscapes into the Subterranean Realm of Caves for detailed insights.