Red-Eared Sliders

Red-Eared Sliders

 

Adam and Eve, our little red-eared sliders (turtles) frequently stack themselves one on top of the other. Someone thought it a sign of affection, but when we researched the topic we learned their "affection" was actually part of the design God made for them, and is definitely not by accident!

They were created to climb on top of one another to "bask" in the heat. The reason is called "thermoregulation." These darling little turtles with the red strip over their ears, surely don't realize it, but experts have found that when their body temperature is ele¬vated, the efficiency of their digestive system increases, and there is a greater amount of gastric acid and enzyme secretion. Obviously the back of their neighbor slider is higher and thus closer to the warmth source be it the sun or the heat lamp in an aquarium—so they climb as high as they can! (The slider who is climbed upon often wiggles to throw off the other, but in time lets its neighbor use his back—the next time it might be he who gets to be on top!) A slider on a sunny day basks mid-morning to mid-afternoon— thus regulating its diges-tion in the warmest part of the day. But listen to this: on a cloudy day—it is not by accident that the little turtle will bask much longer—often until late afternoon—because for growth and development of a healthy shell a proper amount of the sun's rays for synthesis of Vitamin D is necessary. Those rays also help the little turtle dry out thoroughly and thus hinder growth of harmful algae. And the sun's rays also destroy certain parasites. Now does a turtle who is just a few inches long know about the importance of heat to its survival, and that climbing higher (as on the back of a neighbor turtle) will accomplish more than just lying beside his friend as he "suns" himself? Obviously our turtles (Adam and Eve) have no clue about any of this. They do it because the Creator programmed them that way. It's just one more not by accident example of a Creator's affection for His creatures to make them to do what is best for them. Wouldn't it be great if we always chose the best behavior designed by God for us?

Sliders are programmed to do what they do. They don't have a choice. But we've been programmed to be free to choose! Are we living out our lives by accident, just reacting to changing circumstances, or are we willing to use the minds given us to choose the design recom¬mended by our affectionate Creator? The first human Adam and Eve didn't choose wisely. Will we?

 "NOT BY ACCIDENT" (c) Juanita Kretschmar is used by permission and was first published in the book "Not By Accident"  pages 14-15

Related Articles

More From Genesis

Bluebirds

There are all sorts of ways of getting attention. If you were a male bluebird and you found…
Bluebirds

Manatees

"A mechanical creature, the manatee, at A KEY Encounter, waves very slowly as people pass by.…
Manatees

Roseate Spoonbill

There are six kinds of spoonbills, but the only kind you'll find in the Western Hemisphere…
Roseate Spoonbill

Burrowing Owl

The Burrowing Owl lives with unique "NOT BY ACCIDENT" design! Look at the nest material used…
Burrowing Owl

Donkeys

Donkeys are often misunderstood and dismissed as "stubborn." But for those who get to know…
Donkeys

Pelicans

The pelican has a protection mechanism that is awesome! That skilled "fisherman" bird can dive…
Pelicans

Periodical Cicadas

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the…
Periodical Cicadas

Porcupines

Not every "rodent" is as fascinating as the porcupine...nor are they as large...nor do others…
Porcupines

The Shrike

Different varieties of shrikes are found in many countries. Endemic to the USA is the…
The Shrike

Honey Bees

Honey bees are organized and focused— "done right" by their Creator who programmed them with…
Honey Bees

Bald Eagles

"The Bible verse found in Isaiah 40:31 says they who "wait upon the Lord . . . shall mount up…
Bald Eagles

Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers seem to delight in pecking and pounding with their beaks into trees—or drumming…
Woodpeckers

Genesis 1 & Dinosaurs

Did dinosaurs and men live upon the ancient earth together? Creationists answer this question…
Genesis 1 & Dinosaurs

Kinkajou

I had never heard of a kinkajou—the little creature without a bad odor—until a neighbor got…
Kinkajou

Tigers

It's really not by accident that the powerful tiger was chosen the world's "favorite animal"…
Tigers

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.