Daily Devotional – April 2

Biology

Have you ever tried to hold onto a slimy, slippery fish? It is very difficult. Now imagine birds that primarily eat fish, such as penguins or loons, trying to hold onto a fish! These birds are designed with unique backward pointing spines on their tongue and the roof of their mouth. These spines hold onto the slippery fish, and as the fish wiggles, the spines force the fish further down the throat. The spines act like a conveyor belt, moving the fish into the bird’s throat and down to the stomach.

As the loon hunts for fish, it swims along with its eyes just below the surface. Upon spotting a  school of fish, it dives and chases the fish. Loons can dive as deep as 200 feet and hold their breath for as long as 10 minutes! When the loon gets close to the fish, it thrusts its head forward and grabs the fish. The loon has no problem holding onto the fish and swallowing it because of the backward pointing projections in its mouth. Interestingly, the fish can only be swallowed head first because the fish’s scales only allow them to slide forward in that direction. When we see special designs, like spines on a bird’s tongue and the roof of its mouth, we know there must be a Designer! God thought of all the details, even holding onto a slimy fish.

I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

~ Psalm 77: 12

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.