In remote mountain streams of Spain and France there is a mysterious little animal whose body is no longer than a man’s hand, and its rope-like tail is the same length. The desman lives a very secret life and is rarely seen by anyone. It is well hidden not only living in places that are difficult to reach, but also because it sleeps during the day hidden in a rocky nest beside a stream. It spends the dark hours of night underwater in the fast-flowing stream.
It is an odd-looking creature, resembling a mole. It has thick yellowish-gray fur which, when wet, stands out in long arrow-like pointers. The skin, where exposed, is rough and looks like rows of small, dark, round beads pressed tightly together. Its long snout, brown on the end, has two large, rubbery nostrils. Each foot has leathery soles with five long, white claws. The claws are used to pull itself along the creek bottom, as well as for loosening rocks under which food is usually found.
It has eyes, but does not seem to use them for finding its way around or in hunting food. Instead, it relies on a sensitive nose to smell out its underwater food of bugs, worms and other insects and their larvae. Its nose seems to be its greatest helper, not only in finding food, but, being sensitive, warning it of rocks and other obstacles in the dark waters. It can stay underwater for a long time, occasionally pushing that useful nose through the surface for a gulp or two of air.
Its life pattern of hunting underwater at night includes the ability to hide on a dark rock when threatened. When really scared, it darts through the water so fast that it is almost impossible to get a good look at it even if a strong light is used.
The desman and its mate hunt for their food in only a small area of the stream close to their daytime home. They are most active in winter, eating as much as possible to keep warm. Their bodies develop rather fat stomachs through the winter months.
It is not likely that any of us will ever see a desman, but there is One, the Creator of all living things, who is watching over each and every one of them. He gave them these amazing instincts and the ability to live in such an unusual way. A Bible verse tells of this, saying, “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord.” Psalm 145:9,109The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 10All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. (Psalm 145:9‑10). Do you thank and praise Him for His love and tender mercies to you?
ML-05/31/1992