Mouflons, which make their homes on high pastures, are found on some Mediterranean islands. These wild sheep have very long, reddish-brown hair mixed with a few patches of white. Their short legs and small bodies make them the smallest sheep in the world.
A newborn lamb is about the size of a kitten, and a full-grown lamb is not much more than half the size of the sheep we commonly see. The males appear somewhat larger, with two big wrinkly horns nearly three feet long on top of their heads. These curve downward and then upward again when reaching the sides of the mouths.
As mouflon numbers have become greatly reduced by hunters, for some years concerned people have provided protected areas in Texas. They also have imported quite a few of these adult mouflons to live in the protected areas. This has resulted in giving them a new name of Texotics, and some United States zoos now display a few of them. You would find them very interesting little animals.
The smallest pig in the world is named “pot-belly.” This miniature pig is about the size of a large house cat; the adult is only about eighteen inches long from its snout to its straight tail. Most are black, but there are also white pot-bellies and some mixes. They were introduced into Canada and the United States from Vietnam in the late 1980s and have become quite popular as house pets.
Unlike most pigs, pot-bellies are extremely clean and have no objectionable odor. A pot-belly makes an ideal house pet, never has fleas, and enjoys being on a leash while the owner takes a walk - an obedient little walker.
Pot-bellies make quick friends with other animals, especially cats and dogs, and often cuddle up with them for a nap or they may sleep beside each other at night. Some pot-bellies, however, prefer to be with people and even spend nights on top of the covers cuddled up against their owners.
Both of these cute little animals are examples of the marvelous creatures the Creator God has placed on the earth. “[God] doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number” (Job 5:99Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: (Job 5:9)). Another verse says, “Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee” (Job 12:77But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: (Job 12:7)). The beasts don’t tell us with their voices, of course, but just to see them and their contented ways of life assures us that there is a Creator who looks after them.
And that very same Creator is also looking with greater love on every boy and girl. Are you one of His sheep, one who knows the Lord Jesus as your Saviour?
ML-12/24/2006