Page 114 - Devotion Among Animals Revealing the Work of God

DEVOTION AMONG ANIMALS

Kangaroos and other marsupials carry their dependent young on
their bellies in fur-lined pouches. For its first five months, a baby kan-
garoo lives in its mother's pouch. When it leaves the pouch, it will not
stray far for the first few days. If it senses danger, it will run back to its
mother and jump into the pouch headfirst, whereupon the mother de-

parts rapidly on her strong hind legs.
Mother squirrels will grip their youngsters' droopy bellies in their
teeth. If a mother squirrel's nest is disturbed, she will carry her young
as far away as need be, taking them one at a time and returning back to
the old nest until all of them have been removed to safety.
Baby mice hold on tightly to the mother's nipples for hours on end
without letting go. In case of danger, the mother can drag her offspring
quickly away. The young have such a good grip on her that she can run
away without pausing to gather her infants together and placing them
securely between her legs. When danger has passed, she will return to
the old nest, just in case she might have left one behind.
When bats are roaming for insects or fruit, they will carry their
young with them throughout the night. A baby bat grips the nipple
with its milk teeth and holds on to its mother's fur with its claws. Some
bats can still fly with three or four young all holding onto their body.
Many species of birds will fly with their young. If a woodcock's

nest is endangered, the mother can quickly take off with her chick be-
tween her legs. Rails, marsh hawks, and chickadees fly their young to
safety by carrying them in their beaks. Red-tailed hawks grip their
young in their talons, just as when they carry prey.
Grebes carry their young on their backs. If they spot danger, they
dive under water with their young still clinging on.
Tropical frogs can hop to safety while carrying their eggs or tad-
poles on their backs.
More interestingly, some fish carry their young to safety in their
mouths. A male stickleback guards and protects its offspring by swim-

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