The silky anteater lives in the forests of southern Mexico and down through Central and South America. It is very small, only about the size of a squirrel, but has a long, furry tail that makes it look somewhat larger. Its little body has honey-colored fur, and it has a rather pretty face, with round black eyes and a half-covered, pointed snout ending in a bare, pinkish nose.
In securing its food, composed of termites and ants, teeth would be of no value, so the Creator has instead provided it with a pointed nose and long, sticky tongue which it pokes into the nests of these insects and pulls them out in great quantities.
Different not only in size from its relatives, it is also a tree-climber, whereas the larger anteaters spend their lives on the ground. To aid in tree climbing, it has been given an extra joint on both hind feet, enabling its toes to bend around a tree branch for a good, strong grip—a provision of the Creator to help its food-searching activities. In addition, it has a prehensile tail (a grasping tail similar to that of many monkeys) with which it can suspend itself head downward while working with its strong front claws to tear bark off a tree, under which it finds its food. This special tail also may perform like an extra hand, helping to hold it tightly to a tree.
Silky is a night worker and spends daylight hours curled up in a nest of dry leaves in a hollow tree trunk, where the mother leaves her one tiny baby while she feeds. She nurses it for a short period, but then feeds it on digested insects coughed up for it, until soon the little one is able to scramble around and find its own food.
Because these animals hunt only at night and hide in the daytime, they very seldom encounter any enemies. But when they do, they are able to make a good defense by rearing up on their hind legs and slashing their opponent with the long, sharp claws of their front feet.
Do you think God takes note of this obscure little creature? The exceptional provisions for its way of life all tell us that He certainly does, and we are further assured by the Bible verse that says,. "In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing." Job 12:1010In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10). Another verse exclaims, "The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat [food] in due season." Psa. 145:1515The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. (Psalm 145:15).
How much greater is His love to us! He not only takes care of our daily needs, but has prepared a way for eternal life in the glories of heaven for all who will trust His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Savior. Do not neglect doing this.