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Of all the animals mentioned in the scriptures-dogs, horses, donkey,
birds, locusts, etc.-God picked the camel as the one we should reflect on.
In Quran in 88:17
"Why do they not reflect on the camels and how
they are created ?" |
Camels creation is its own miracle. The camel is not always seen as abeautiful animal. But it is absolutely perfect for what it needs to do and
where it needs to survive. This is a gift from God. Without camels,
no one could travel in the deserts , so huge sections of the world
would be not just difficult to live on, but completely unlivable.
All of the camel is practical for his survival and for his service to man.
A camel's feet, although hoofed, have large pads that spread out in the
soft sand to keep the animal from sinking in. His face is designed as
protection from sun and sand. The thick eyebrows, heavy eyelids and
thick lashes all keep out sand, and there's even a third eyelid that can
close in heavy storms. The still nostrils have special muscles which the
camel can close against blowing sand. The ears have thick hair inside
the ear, as well as outside to prevent dirt and sand from getting down
inside the ear, and possibly causing infection.
A camel's hump is a lump of fat. This is used as a source of energy when
food is scarce. The hump may actually shrink when no food is available,
but the camel can live off it for many days. And it will reform perfectly
when
food is again available. Because food is so scarce in the desert, the camel
must be able to eat anything (even the tents). The lining of the mouth is
very tough so that the camel can bite and chew thorny cactus plants without
harm to the mouth.
Most incredible is how the camel deals with heat and lack of water.
First of all, camels have a low metabolic rate, so energy is used slowly.
The body temperature has a wide range of normal. It may start the day
at 94 and hit 105 in the heat of the afternoon.
(Human's normal temperature is 98 and at 101, we are sick). The camel is
one of few animals that can sweat. The coarse body hair, which acts as
a protection against the direct sun, also allows the camel this ability to
sweat.
Sweating is a more efficient cooling system than panting (as in dogs) as
less precious fluid is lost. Additionally, in its incredibly efficient way,
the camel does not sweat until its body temperature is near the top of its
range.
No other creature can process water in the same way. It does not lose water
from blood, only from the tissue. Thus the blood stays properly thin enough
to circulate and remove body heat. The camel will only drink when needed
and only replace what's lost. If he lost 5 gallons over the last two days,
he
will drink 5 gallons and walk away. He may not drink at all in winter.
And the camel can quickly replace all water lost - 25 gallons in a very
short time. Other animals drinking too fast can die from water
intoxication.
So camels are truly remarkable animals. When we reflect on their creation,
as
God instructs us to do, we cannot help but marvel at the ways God made
them fit perfectly into their niche. May God help each of us to fit our own
niche as well.
Lydia Kelley
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