Daily Devotional – July 16

Biology

What animal looks like it sweats blood? The 7,000-pound hippopotamus. The five-inch-thick hippo skin has sweat glands that ooze a red slime, which later turns brown. This oozing slime protects the hippo in three ways. First, it gives the hippo its own sunblock protection. This is great because hippos spend a lot of time in the sun. In addition, the red slime is an insect repellant. Also, the red slime has antibiotic qualities. Hippos live in less than pure water and have very aggressive daily territorial fights with each other, often resulting in terrible cuts and wounds. To have built-in antibiotics would stop deadly bacteria in their tracks. Where did these glands come from? How many millions of years did it take to get the glands just right? God knew what the hippo would need and provided for his protection from sun, insects and deadly bacteria.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

~ Psalm 100:1

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

References for this devotional.