Page 29 - The World of Animals

However, the ewe has not much time to get to know her own

young one; she has to manage this as soon as she delivers the

lamb. Otherwise, she could never find her lamb in a crowded flock
again. Yet, she is never afflicted with such a problem, because Allah
inspires her to lick her offspring as soon as she gives birth to it so

that she can know its taste and smell.

Well, do you know what protects a lamb from rain? Its skin! As
lambskin consists of a soft fatty layer, it serves as a raincoat
preventing the lamb from becoming wet. This makes its wool curl

and remain dry on rainy days.

Besides, one of the most important characteristics of lambs is
their rumination. Have you ever seen an animal ruminating? Let us
tell you about it. Some animals that feed on grass ruminate.
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Characteristically, these animals have a stomach divided into four

compartments. When the animal eats something, the food first
goes to the stomach then comes back to the mouth again. After the
animal chews it, it goes to the other chamber of the stomach. This

process is called

"rumination". Our
Lord has given this
capability to some

animals the better to

digest some
indigestible foods.