Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus) ©WikiC
WHAT’S PART MAMMAL, MARSUPIAL AND REPTILE?
“He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.” (Psalm 111:4)
While all living things defy evolution, some do it more clearly than others. The echidna is one example of a creature that obviously challenges evolution. This Australian marvel is often called the spiny anteater. However, it has little resemblance to anteaters in other parts of the world.
Echidnas are classified as monotremes, which are egg-laying mammals. While the adults have no teeth, a hatchling echidna escapes from its egg with an egg tooth. Adults have a long snout and an even longer sticky tongue that catches ants. The hatchling is protected and nursed in a marsupial-like pouch. As it grows it develops the long spines of an adult. If the echidna sounds like a strange creature, its mating habits are even stranger. At mating time echidnas form “trains.” A large female leads the train, followed by up to seven males, the smallest being the last car of the train. They walk single file until the female finds a tree she likes. Then the males dig a trench around the tree and seek to drive each other out of the trench. Only the victorious male is allowed to mate with the female.
With its mammalian, reptilian and marsupial features, the echidna challenges evolution. Evolutionists would have a hard time explaining what forces would produce a creature that is apparently related to no other. The best explanation for the echidna is that it is the work of an infinitely creative and powerful Creator.
Prayer:
Dear Father, Your unlimited creativity fills me with joy. Amen.
Notes:
Science Frontiers, p. 129, “Echidna Eccentricities.” Photo: Western long-beaked echidna. Courtesy of Matma Rex. (CC-BY-SA 3.0) ©Creation Moments 2015 (with permission)
Echidna ©WikiC
Lee’s Addition:
Thinking about this photo and how the Lord created this critter to be protected brings several great passages to mind:
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:28-30 NKJV)
For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. (Proverbs 3:26 NKJV)
He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. (Psalms 121:3 NKJV)
I would love to show you a Puggle, the name for a baby Echida, but I couldn’t find one that gave permission to use. Click this link to see one, Those in Awana, know the name “Puggle”
Lord Bless Your Day!
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Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 