The Three Eyed Porpoise

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What has three eyes, lives in the sea and can swim faster than most boats can travel? No, it’s not a creature from another planet. It’s the porpoise.

Science has long known that the porpoise navigates using sonar. Now they have learned a little bit more about how well equipped the porpoise is in its use of sound waves. Scientists have found that the porpoise has a fatty, disc shaped organ in the middle of its forehead that is able to shape and focus the sound waves used in the porpoise’s sonar. When the porpoise generates sound waves, they are conducted by bones in the mammal’s forehead to this disc, which then changes shape to focus and aim the sound waves. The returning echo allows the porpoise to literally see an image.

Scientists note that the porpoise’s brain is very highly developed so that it can carry out this complex form of navigation. Because of the nature of sound waves, scientists suspect that a porpoise could not only see a fish but very likely make out some details of its internal organs.

The porpoise’s sonar system uses a highly sophisticated knowledge of physics, biology and data processing. No scientist can even begin to explain how mutations and chance could have designed this complex and technically impressive navigation system. But there is no mystery if we understand that the porpoise was designed and made by the Creator of all that science studies!

Psalm 147:5
“Great [is] our Lord, and of great power: his understanding [is] infinite.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, I marvel and praise You for the excellence of all that You have created. I ask that as our knowledge of the creation grows, more people would be led to see and glorify You as Creator and drawn to Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. In His Name. Amen.

Notes:
Schwarz, Joel. 1984. “Porpoise secrets.” Omni, v. 6:6, March. p. 37. Image: Two Dalls Porpoises (PD)