Deep-sea anglerfish live in the deep, dark areas of the world’s oceans and are named for the way that they attract a meal.

Much like a fishing (angler) rod would entice a fish using bait or a lure, the female anglerfish houses bacteria in and around the end of a long fin ray. This bacteria glows in the gloom of the deep sea and attracts prey toward the fish’s pointy teeth!

Colour in, cut out and wear this mask to see if you can attract a snack of your own…

You will need:

• A piece of paper or thin card (at least 15cm across) to print or draw your mask onto
• A pair of scissors
• String or ribbon (to tie your mask on to your head)
• A hole punch or sharp pencil to make holes for the string
• Colouring pencils, felt tips or glow in the dark paint or sticky tape

1. Print or trace the mask template onto paper or thin card
2. Cut around the outline of the mask – take care not to cut off the lure!
3. Carefully cut out the eyeholes in the middle
4. Ask a grownup to help you use a hole punch or a sharp pencil to make a hole on either side of your mask (we’ve marked where to do this with a small circle)
5. Decorate your lure on both sides to make it really noticeable – you can use glow in the dark paint to make it really glow!
6. You can also use scissors to give your lure a curl, just like if you were curling ribbon
7. Tie a piece of string or ribbon on to each side of your mask and hey presto! It’s ready to wear

Explore more Twilight activities from across the University of Cambridge Museums with Twilight at Home

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