Camel, Zorse, and Boa: God’s Fingerprints Seen in Blood Cell Design

Here are examples of three different types of blood cells from animals at the Ark Encounter’s Ararat Ridge Zoo.

Members of the camelid kind (camels, llamas, alpacas, etc.) have elongated red blood cells. The unique shape of these cells allows them to circulate even when the animal is dehydrated, which is how camelids can go so long without water. When camelids do find water, they need to take in as much as possible at once. Their red blood cells are capable of expanding to up to 240% of their original size to take in large volumes of water without bursting. That’s why a dromedary camel like Gomer (above) can drink up to 30 gallons of water in 10 minutes!

Members of the equine kind (horses, donkeys, zebras, etc.) have circular red blood cells similar to those of most mammals. However, you may notice that the cells appear to be linked together, forming chains of cells. This effect is called “rouleaux,” and while it can be considered a sign of disease in other animals, it’s completely normal in equines like Zoe the zorse (zebra/horse hybrid)!

God’s glory is evident everywhere in creation, even down to the smallest cells! It’s really the fingerprint of the Creator in the things he has made.

Most non-mammalian vertebrates like Keshet the Brazilian rainbow boa have elliptical, nucleated red blood cells. Although snakes are “cold-blooded” (ectothermic), their blood isn’t actually cold. The term refers to the animal’s need to draw warmth from external sources.

Yes, God’s glory is evident everywhere in creation, even down to the smallest cells! It’s really the fingerprint of the Creator in the things he has made.

Explore Forensics at the Creation Museum

Speaking of fingerprints, if science fascinates your child, I encourage you to consider giving them a “gift of experience” this Christmas by sending them to one of our science camps at the Creation Museum, such as our five-day Explore Forensics camp. They’ll learn all about fingerprints, DNA, trace analysis, and much more. Or, if they attend our Explore Science camp, they’ll explore five topics—including fossils, physical science, forensic science, zoology, and drones. Check out all of our hands-on Explore Camps on our Creation Museum page.

And be sure to follow our zoo’s Facebook page to see more amazing animal content like what I shared above.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.