did you know - Giant Clams!

Living at the bottom of the warm Indian and South Pacific Oceans you may discover a very unique animal – the Giant Clam. When I see it, I think about what it says in Nehemiah 9:6 –  “ You are the Lord, You alone. You have made the seas and all that is in them; and You preserve all of them.”

Let’s see some of the special things about Giant Clams which God made and how they help us know God designed and created them on purpose –

·        Giant Clams come in a wide variety of colors – blues, greens, yellows, reds, pinks, purples, browns, and black.

·        No two Giant Clams are the exact shade, color, and/or pattern of colors – they are each unique!

·        Giant Clams are the largest clam – some grow as big as four feet across and may weigh as much as 600 pounds!

·         These clams have special cells – iridophores – which protect them from the sun by reflecting sunlight. They act as “sunscreen” by blocking the sun’s UV rays.

·        “Baby” Giant Clams float in the water and then settle on the ocean floor – they will never move away from this place for the rest of their lives – and they may live as long as 100 years or more!

·        Giant Clams are not able to close their shell.

·        Occasionally Giant Clams do produce pearls – but not often. The largest pearl ever discovered weighed 75 pounds.

What do you think is the most interesting thing about Giant Clams?

Activity to Make the Point & Have Fun!

Giant Clams eat the sugars and proteins produced by the algae which lives on their shells. To help you think about and remember these wonderful clams, let’s combine some sugar and protein to make a tasty snack – don’t worry, you will not be eating any algae!

You will need -

· 1/2 cup softened butter

· 1 lb powdered sugar

· 2 cups peanut-butter – or any nut-butter of your choice

· 3 cups crisp rice cereal

· 2 tablespoons butter

· 1/4 cup solid shortening

· 1 package semi-sweet – or dark chocolate chips

Directions – 1. Mix butter, sugar, and peanut-butter 2. Add the cereal and stir well 3. Shape into 1 inch balls – set aside 4. Melt butter, shortening and chocolate chips, stirring so it is smooth - be careful not to overcook or scorch chocolate - a double boiler is very helpful in this step 5. Dip each peanut-butter ball into chocolate and set on waxed paper to set (I usually put them in the freezer at this point and then keep them in the freezer - they are particularly enjoyable frozen!)

God created Giant Clams to stay in one place on the floor of the ocean for their entire life. He also created them with shells, which are liked by algae – the algae provide the food Giant Clams need to survive. As you enjoy your peanut butter balls, think about how you combined sugar and protein (peanut – or nut – butter) and then covered them with a tasty chocolate “shell”. Think about Giant Clams and the surprising and unexpected way God designed them so they will survive; remember God designed and created you as well!

While you may not live in an area where you are able to find Giant Clams, think about the amazing creatures where you live. Go on a nature hike with your family to look for creatures God designed “just right”, and as you walk, talk about the amazing world God designed in which we are able to live!

Think About This . . .

“If you equate the probability of the birth of a bacteria cell to chance assembly of its atoms, eternity will not suffice to produce one… Faced with the enormous sum of lucky draws behind the success of the evolutionary game, one may legitimately wonder to what extent this success is actually written into the fabric of the universe.” - Christian de Duve – author, Nobel laureate, and organic chemist

You will find more fun facts about Giant Clams in my book,  Megabats, Bangal Tigers, Quetzals & More, and you are able to buy it for the children you love at this link.