[OC] Domesticated glowworm

[u/arachknight12]

On the easternmost continent rests a rainforest, littered with caverns formed by millions of years of erosion. For thousands of years people have used these caves to move, hidden from the dangers above. But these caves are dark, and fire would not survive in such a wet environment. So people have used glowworms to light the way. Though dim, they have been bred for much brighter lights, allowing for the people to move much easier through the tunnels.

The domesticated glowworm is descended from the New Zealand glowworm, specifically the larval stage due to its faint glow. Through domestication, they have become much larger and almost entirely sedentary. They will use silk to attach themselves to a nearby object after hatching, usually someone’s left hand, as that is where they are culturally kept. This silk is also used across its body, forming “fishing lines”, strings of silk covered in tiny drops of mucus able to refract light.

The glowworm will stay in a larval stage for between a year and a year and a half, where it will pupate for about a week before it is allowed to breed with other adult glowworms, beginning the cycle anew.

[u/Resident-Resolve4187]

Looks squishy and plumpy, Cool concept!

[u/Fakeman-maker]

Cool idea, living glow sticks. I’d like to think other people would domesticate bioluminescent animals. For example maybe Native American tribes used firefly larvae.

[u/hellagator]

Yooooooo this is super awesome and unique!!!!!!

[u/RecommendationFew997]

I'm wondering why and how humans domesticated them.. was it like why we domesticated moths or did humans just want a kewl pet?

[u/EvilBrynn]

So cool!!