Page 70 - Devotion Among Animals Revealing the Work of God

DEVOTION AMONG ANIMALS

The kingdom of the heavens and earth belongs to God. He cre-
ates whatever He wills. He gives daughters to whoever He
wishes; and He gives sons to whoever He wishes; or He gives
them both sons and daughters; and He makes whoever He
wishes barren. Truly He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful. (Qur'an,
42: 49-50)

Extraordinary Care for Eggs and Young
It is possible to see many species of birds, fish or reptiles display-
ing acts of great devotion and compassion. Many species of animals suf-
fer much hardship to protect their next generation—concealing them,
placing the eggs carefully to prevent their breaking, warming or pro-
tecting the young from excessive heat, removing them to safety in case
of danger, even carrying them around in their mouths, and guarding
them for weeks on end.
Pythons can be dangerous to other larger creatures, including man,
but are very protective and devoted to their eggs. The female python
lays approximately 100 eggs, then curls up over them. This action cools
the eggs by shading them when
it's too hot; when it is too cool,
she warms them by vibrating
her body. In this way, the female
python prevents life-endanger-
52
ing threats to her eggs.
Another interesting group
of animals is the mouthbrood-
ers—fish that incubate their
spawn in their mouths. Some
continue to keep them in their
mouths even after the eggs
hatch. Catfish, for example, The python cares for its eggs,
even though most people would
swim around for weeks with think otherwise.

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