PEBBLE TOAD

You never know what you are going to get with animals. Each animal is so unique and specialized that they are full of surprises. We are all very aware of the claims of evolution and the attraction it has on many people. However, with so many variations and extraordinary abilities animals have, it puts evolution in an impossible situation. One such animal is the pebble toad.

When a predator comes near, animals all react in different ways. Some chose to fight, some hide, and others try to escape. Since the pebble toad is only about an inch long, fighting is not exactly its forte. However, it is an escape specialist. In fact, when faced with predators like tarantulas, very few animals would be able to escape the same way this toad does. So, how does it escape? I’m glad you asked!

Its habitat is usually found around rocky cliffs in Venezuela. As it climbs up these rocks, occasionally it will come upon a predator. Since it is hanging on to the rock, there is really only one way out of the situation without getting eaten; let go. I think we all know what would happen if we jumped off of a cliff, but God has given this toad a special ability. Combined with its size, the pebble toad folds in its arms and legs into a ball type position. As he is falling, this position absorbs the impact, and he is basically able to roll down the cliff far away from any predators. This little guy gets his name because he looks like a pebble as he is falling down the cliff.

God obviously had His hand in the making of this toad. The pebble toad knows exactly what to do to escape and is able to do so without injury. God made this toad just right in order to endure such a fall. How could an animal evolve such an ability? Seems like there would be a lot of dead frogs at the bottom of cliffs as they evolved these characteristics. How would the toad know that it needed to be small? How would the toad know it needed to stiffen up and make a ball-type shape to survive? Evolution does not have fitting answers.

While this toad may be as small as a pebble, it is definitely a solid rock of evidence in God’s favor. God is truly seen through His creation (Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1-6). Let’s continue to remember and be amazed at the creation God has surrounded us with.

Brett Petrillo