What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?
What movies or TV series have I watched more than 5 times? None. I guess my attention span never allows me to watch something that long. Most of the time I can’t complete a whole movie, definitely not a series. Do people really watch things over and over? To me that would be boring and predictable. I have listened to a song more than 5 times. That’s comparable right? 🤣
Have you ever heard of the giant pots of Laos? They have been rediscovered at ancient sites in forests, on hillsides and along mountain ridges in remote central Laos.
The plain of Jars consists of thousands of ancient stone vessels scattered over hundreds of square miles. The region is a hilly area, despite the “plain” in the name. The huge jars evoke an otherworld atmosphere. Some are up to ten feet tall and weigh several tons. The enormous endeavors must have required some massive workers, or so some believe. A local legend declares that “a tribe of giants used them as wine chalices to celebrate a great victory.”
Similar cauldrons exist elsewhere, including in a part of India some 600 miles away, but it’s still undetermined who made the ones in Laos. Several human burials, thought to be around 2,500 years old, have been found at some of these sites. However, nothing is known about the people who originally made the jars, leaving archaeologist to speculate about their origins.
The area where the ancient jars lie is one of the most heavily bombed in the whole world. The American government dropped an estimated 2 million tons of bombs while fighting against Vietnam. The region still includes live bombs, land mines and other unexploded weapons. Defying the ravages of war, the enigmatic Plain of Jars remains an archaeological marvel, drawing throngs of visitors to northeastern Laos. As tourists navigate the carefully marked trails, they are met with an awe-inspiring sight. Hundreds of ancient, mysterious jars, silently guarding the secrets of a long-forgotten civilization.
Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/ancient-urns-or-drinking-vessels-giants-behind-laos-mysterious-plain-jars-180955462/
https://www.livescience.com/65526-jars-of-the-dead-found-laos.html
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: Psalms 139:23 KJV
Psalms 139
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Thank you for joining me for another Bible study today. I hope your day is full of blessings and excitement. As always thanks for reading and God bless. Come back tomorrow for another in-depth look at the Bible.
A short story sounds too long oddly enough, so I will call it a teeny weeny story.
Ant is walking through the forest looking for a friend. He comes to a frog.
The frog said,“Where are you off to today, ant?”
“I am off to find a friend to help me capture the sun.”
“That’s impossible. The sun is far too bright to capture. It will blind your eyes first.” Frog explained.
“Then I guess I should continue walking.” Said the ant, and so he did.
The ant walks a few more moments and in the distance he sees a deer. The ant runs quickly to catch up. He yells loudly.
“Excuse me ma’am. Could you help me please. I am trying to capture the sun.”
“Capture the sun you say, hahahaha that’s funny. The sun is too hot to contain it, it will burn you to a crisp. That’s what I was told anyways”
“Aww, now I see,” said the ant. Have a great day dear.”
So ant marches on, determined to find a friend who will listen. Next he sees an owl way up in a tree. He climbs really high in the sky until he is at his knees.
“Hello there Mr. Wise ol’ Owl, I could use a hand if you’re not too busy. I want to capture the sun. I just need you to follow me back to my colony.
“What? Are you crazy? No one can capture the sun, it is entirely too far away. You could never reach it, you see. Believe me I’ve tried to fly beyond the stars. Now go on boy, I don’t have time for your childish dreams.”
Ant crawls down and continues his way through the forest. He just needs a little help, from someone a little bigger than his family.
The ant walks until he comes to a small den. A small fox meets him at the entrance.
“Hello little ant. What are you doing today? Are you in search of food?”
“Not at the moment. I am in search of a friend to help me capture the sun.”
“Come again? Did you say capture the sun? You can’t capture the sun. My grandfather told me the sun is 2.7 million miles around. That is far too big to capture, why, that’s larger than the earth itself. I am no genius but I would strive for a more realistic endeavor.”
“Well, okay fox, thank you for the astrology lesson. Have a good day.”
Ant wanders and strolls for a long time. He almost loses hope noticing the sun sinking lower in the sky. Finally at last a shape up head comes into view. Just before him stands a big tall bear, with paws as big as elephant ears or so it appears.
Ant hurries forward and crawls up to the bear resting just at his paw.
“My dearest apologies, I do not mean to bother you, but could you help me please.”
The bear did not hear him.
He climbs up his leg and tries again.
“Bear, can you hear me?”
But the ant’s tiny voice is muffled by the bear’s thick fur. Determined, the ant climbs higher. Now reaching the bear’s shoulder, breathless and fatigued.
“Mr. Bear!.”
Still no recognition.
Desperate, he climbs to the bear’s ear and onto his nose and screams.
” MR.BEAR!”
The bear jumps, falling flat on his bum. What was that he just heard? The wind in the trees or a snap of a twig? He could have sworn he heard his name. Very alarmed, he looks left and right. Left and right. All the while the ant holds on to his nose hairs for dead life.
“MR.BEAR STOP PLEASE!”
The bear freezes. There it is again.
The bear looks left and right. Up and down.
Finally a tiny movement catches his eye. A tiny ant at the end of his nose.
” Hi. Thank you for stopping. Will you help me please?”
The bear looks cross eyed at the tiny creature. Shocked that such a small being would talk to him.
“Me? What could I possibly do for you? I’m just a bear.”
Bear listens intently as ant explains about capturing the sun and off to his home they go. You see, ant isn’t just any ant. He is a cave ant. A cave ant who has made his home in a magnificent crystal cave. He brings the bear to the entrance. Ants’ family lines up in a sea of brown around the cave. Bear picks up a discarded piece of mirror that someone has deemed trash years ago and positioned it on the makeshift pedestal made from sticks. When turned just right the sun shines on the mirror and reflects straight into the ant’s home. Wonderful colors burst from the opening. Yellow, orange, blue, green, purple and pink. Every color imaginable reflects the pebbles and oddities the ants have collected and stored around their home. Bear stares in awe at the marvel the ants have created. They indeed have captured the sun.
This is a little story to remind you that not everyone is going to see your idea and thank it’s wonderful. Some may even interpret it completely differently than how you invension it. Others may laugh at you and even more may think you are crazy. That doesn’t make it a bad idea. If it brings you joy, do it anyway.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. Psalms 119:2 KJV
https://bible-strong.app
Psalms 119
1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
137 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
156 Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
169 Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
I added the above video of Shepard’s chapel. It covers verses 1-21. There are several other videos that complete this chapter that we will cover at a later date. As always thanks for reading and God bless.
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 KJV
https://bible-strong.app
Isaiah 55
1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Today I would like to add a video of pastor Jesse as well. I found this gentleman about a year ago and have been trying to listen and validate his authenticity. So far I have not heard any discrepancies. Like stated before I have listened to pastor Arnold for many years now and feel confident in his videos. With that being said, it is nice to see current videos and a new face from time to time. Just a reminder, don’t take mans words for anything. Read it and study it yourself.
As always thanks for reading and God bless.
Another animal facts article! How fun😊. I truly enjoy writing these articles and plan to write many more. The spotlight will be on the Echidna this time. I am not familiar with the community standards here so just to be safe I will mention that this article contains notes about the male and female reproductive anatomy of the Echidna. Although I have confidence my readers are mature enough to handle the content.
Echidnas, also known as spiny anteaters, are egg-laying mammals with spiky exteriors native to Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania, Indonesia, and Papua. The Echidna is usually found in open heathland, forests, woodlands, shrublands and grasslands. They also enjoy scavenging among low vegetation or in hollow logs. The only other egg laying mammal that is also a marsupial in the world would be the platypus. The name “echidna” comes from the Greek word ékhidna, which means “viper”. It also refers to a mythological monster that was half-woman and half-snake.
Unlike the porcupine, they cannot shoot quills. Instead they have razor sharp spines made of keratin. When under attack they can curl into a ball and burrow underground to protect themselves. Echidnas do not have teeth but pads to grind their food, similar to those of the cattle, llama and alpacas. Just like anteaters, they have long sticky tongues to eat larvae, beetles, termites and ants, among other insects. The snout is narrow and the mouth very small. Echidnas are stocky and virtually tailless except for a little bald snub hidden underneath.
They have strong-clawed feet and spines on the upper part of the brownish body. These animals have the lowest internal body temperature of all mammals. Despite having no external ears, echidnas’ hearing is well above average. They also have electro sensors in their noses and have been known to blow snot bubbles to clear debris from their nostrils. It is speculated that the electro sensors on their snout helps locate bugs deep underground and within tree trunks. Their sense of smell is exceptionally accurate.
Echidnas are powerful diggers, with hind feet that point backwards to help expel dirt away. Local people say the animal can dig holes as fast as a human using a shovel. They are often found digging massive burrows in search of their food. They are also excellent swimmers and tree climbers. It is not unusual to see them high in the trees in search of tree dwelling insects. However, they are slow moving on the ground and can be an easy target. The echidna’s face many predators including foxes, dingoes, goannas, eagles, snakes and tasmanian devils.
Perhaps what is the most bizarre thing about the echidna is that the male has a four headed penis, which are actually rosette-like glans at the end. Only two of these four glans ever become functional during erection. Which glands are functional seems to alternate between subsequent erections.The male appendages are bright red and retract into the body when not in use, and emerge through the cloaca when erect. Echidna penises are used only for sexual reproduction, unlike most other mammals.
The cloaca is a multipurpose opening for urinating, defecating, and, in females, egg laying. Both males and females have a cloaca. For the males, their testes never descend. Their anatomy does not consist of a scrotum. When not in use, their penises are stored internally and their ejaculate contains bundles of up to 100 sperm that swim cooperatively until they reach the egg. Yep, you read that right, they work together!
From mid-May to early September, male echidnas actively seek out females to mate.They form a line known as an ‘echidna train’, with the female leading the ‘train’, followed by up to ten males. A smaller, younger male is often at the rear of the line.The male suitors follow the female for long distances until the female is ready to mate. She then lies relaxed and flat on her stomach and the males that formed the ‘train’ dig a circular trench around her. Eventually the largest male pushes the competing rivals out of this ‘mating rut’.
He then digs more dirt out from the spot where the female’s tail is resting, lies on his side and places his tail under hers, and they mate.
The female lays a single soft-shelled, leathery egg 22 days after mating, and deposits it directly into her pouch. At this time it is about the size of a grape. The pouch is a temporary structure and will soon disappear after the baby leaves, usually around twelve months.
Baby echidnas are called puggles and are hairless and blind when hatched. They use a sharp tooth to break the egg similar to the chicken. Puggles drink pink milk from patches on their mum’s abdomen inside the pouch. The females do not have nipples so they release high iron milk into these patches for the puggles to lap up.
Echidna moms leave their babies in the burrow while they forage for food, returning every few days to feed them.
At about a year old it is weaned and begins to live life alone. Echidnas are solitary creatures unless they are with young or in search of a mate.
There you have it folks, the fascinating life of an echidna. If you enjoy this content please hit the like and subscribe buttons for my latest posting. I plan to do more of these in the future as the urge comes along. As always thank you for reading and God bless.
Sources:
https://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/echidna/
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/solving-the-mystery-of-the-four-headed-echidna-penis
https://www.google.com/search?q=echidna+life+stages+&client
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echidna
https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2019/01/echidna-facts
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Psalms 42:2 KJV
https://bible-strong.app
Psalms 42
To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.
1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
With these Bible studies I strive to meet people where they are in their personal walk with God. Whether you have time for a verse or an hour long video, I want to help give you a convenient and useful Bible study post for your day. May you read God’s work everyday. Because even in times of trouble, a day in His word is a good day. I am not a preacher nor a teacher, just a truth seekeer. As always thanks for reading and God bless.
I like poems that rhyme.
They have always been a favorite of mine.
A fun little way to unwind
and pass the time.
What a blessing it is to pick up a pen
and choose a world to dive in.
Do I Choose now or then
or somewhere where it all begin?
The words dance and sway.
A series of rules they must obey.
A set of unique chimes for each new design.
The words dance and sing to their own melody.
On what a sight to see.
Words come alive that came from me.
like a jingle stuck on repeat.
I must find the words to match the beat.
Or the cadance inside my mind
Will continue till the end of time
waiting for the perfect word to complete the rhyme.
With little pieces of me left behind.
An urge to write takes control
but my mind seems to resist.
Something is amiss.
Words on paper, pictures in my head
But its all just the surface of why I bled.
Words scurry from the lead not wanting to be read. Each time they are brought to light it always means dread.
Unheard, unseen, my bridles tounge bleeds
Knowing silent is always the key
Invalidate, mistake, brush to the side and realize. God hears the silent tears and feels the heavy weight of fears.
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