John Clayton
Eating, or ingesting food, is one of the main characteristics
of the animal kingdom. The digestive system, that enables animals
to digest and absorb food, is generally one of the most complex
of the organ systems. Often, the digestive system is also
specially adapted for the particular type of food or feeding
behavior of the animal.
Recently, scientists studied the digestive system
(specifically the small intestine) of certain snakes, such as
vipers, boa constrictors, and pythons. In these snakes the period
of time between meals can range from a few weeks to several
months. It was found that during the long periods of fasting that
the lining, or mucosa, of the small intestine becomes atrophied
(i.e., decreases in thickness and activity), conserving the
body's energy and resources.
Snakes such as these consume large meals ranging from 50% to
as much as 160% of their body weight. To accommodate such a large
meal the snake needs a fully functional digestive system. It was
found that feeding stimulates rapid growth of the intestinal
lining. The weight of the small intestine can actually double in
a few hours after a meal due to the rapid growth of the mucosa.
One study demonstrated that the activity of the intestinal cells
also increases after a meal. It was found, for example, that the
uptake of nutrients, such as amino acids, increased by as much as
16 fold over a period of three days.
Thus, the digestive system of these snakes is well adapted to
their intermittent feeding behavior. During times of fasting, the
small intestine becomes less active and atrophied. Following a
meal, however, this organ quickly adjusts to the increased
demands, enters into a period of rapid growth and increased
activity, all of which is necessary to assimilate the large meal.
Though disliked and feared by many, even snakes can remind us
of the greatness of God's creation. Highly specialized and
efficient adaptations such as these clearly point to the wisdom
of the One who made them.
This article taken from: Does God Exist?, March/April 1999.
|