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Insects that Prefer Fasting on Peaks of Mountains
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By:
Dr. `Abd Al-Hakam `Abd Al-Latif As-Sa`idi
Lecturer of Entomology – Faculty of Agriculture – Al-Azhar
University
Wonderfully,
in the world of insects beetles tend to spend the winter season on
peaks of mountains, with their freezing temperature. As soon as
they feel the coldness of air and the approach of the winter
season, they hasten to peaks of mountains as if they call their
species to swim against the current.
It is well known that peaks of mountains and lofty locations in
the European countries are very cold to the extent that they are
covered with snow and consequently the (degree of) temperature
lowers to thirty degrees centigrade below zero. No doubt, such a
freezing temperature will have effect on these insects, in the
sense of making them in dire need of extra amount of energy,
though their bodies are filled with fatty substances on which they
can depend throughout the hibernation and fasting period; that
extra energy will provide them with warmness, especially in the
latter days of the winter season, when alimentary canal normally
runs out of its reserves. A question arises here: What about those
insects whose time of breaking fast isn’t due yet? Do they give
in to such critical condition or Allah Almighty grants them a
proper means to overcome it?
Of course, Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, Who has fashioned
all His creatures in a very beautiful manners and accuracy, has
bestowed on each creature the proper means to lead a satisfied
life. So, Allah does not let these insects or other creatures
down. Actually, an important process happens within bodies of
these insects during their migration to mountains' peaks. During
this period, they eat voraciously and store the extra amounts in
the form of fats.
At the same time, they abstain from drinking water. Hence, the
ratio of water diminishes in their bodies and the free water
existing in their bodies takes another form, i.e. bounded water.
This kind of water dissolves some alimentary ingredients and turns
them into a high-condensed shape of water. This process is of
paramount importance for these insects which, thereby, gain the
ability to endure the low degrees of temperature. Consequently,
water in their bodies does not freeze when (the degree of)
temperature becomes below zero.
If the temperature diminishes severely to an unprecedented degree
that cannot be endured, Allah's mercy with these creatures
provides them with another important characteristic, which enables
them to get a wondrous thermal energy through the water reserved
in their bodies, and it’s normally within the inherent
temperature of water. If the air temperature lowers to thirty
degrees centigrade below zero, the insects will release water's
energy and thus the temperature of their bodies will rise to zero.
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