The Deep Diving Leatherback

The fact that they must breathe air would seem to limit sea creatures like whales, dolphins and sea turtles. But these creatures are so well designed that their abilities amaze even the most informed scientists.

How deep do you think a seagoing air breather can dive while holding its breath? Keep in mind that as the creature descends through the depths, the air supply in its lungs becomes compressed and will not last as long as breath held near the surface. Until about 20 years ago, whales have held the record. Sperm whales have been documented as deep as 3,500 feet beneath the waves.

But then a tagged leatherback turtle went down to at least 3,900 feet, nearly three-fourths of a mile! According to the scientists involved in the study, the turtle might have gone deeper, but at 3,900 feet their measuring device went off the scale. In other words, they never expected the leatherback to dive so deep!

While all of us are in awe over the ability of the leatherback turtle, those who believe in evolution have a special reason to be surprised at what they are learning. According to evolution, whales and sea turtles evolved from creatures who live on the land. Evolutionists have a difficult time accounting for the extensive specialized changes required to turn a land turtle into a sea turtle capable of operating beneath three-fourths of a mile of water. Those of us who know that all things were created by a wise Creator understand that there is nothing He cannot do.

2 Corinthians 4:6
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Prayer:
Lord, I thank You that the whole creation shows forth Your glory and handiwork. I pray that more people, especially scientists, would see and understand this witness and be drawn to Your message of forgiveness in the Bible. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Notes:
“Yertle: 1, Orca: 0.” Discover, Sept. 1987. p. 14. Photo: Leatherback turtle at Sandy Point National Wildlife Reserve (NWR) (PD)