Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

Hippos may look round, slow, and almost cuddly—but these “river horses” are full of surprises. Discover why hippos sink rather than swim and have epic battles with each other. Learn how God designed hippos to survive using a mysterious built-in skin ointment.

Here’s our trail map:
Can Hippos Swim?
How Strong Is a Hippo’s Bite?
Do Hippos Sweat Blood?
How Can We Have Thick Skin and a Soft Heart?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/can-hippos-swim/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
Why Do Elephants Squeak? Lesson 80: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/880f710e-9de5-4d1b-a7fe-87f2d0b493e2/
Charging Rhinos and Playful Wombats - Nature Filmmaking With Dr. Gordon Wilson: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/bcce1aa1-3346-451f-845f-ee734e0ad4df/

Eryn's Books:
Where Wonder Leads: An Adventure in God's Wild and Wonderful World: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/wonder
Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel
The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:
Marvels of Creation Book Set by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/marvels-of-creation-3-book-pack
Dinosaur Books by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/apologetics/dinosaurs
Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/
Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/member
Explore Our Bible & Nature Curriculum and Resources: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/club
Free Hippo Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/can-hippos-swim/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:
“The wise are patient;
they will be honored if they ignore insults.” Proverbs 19:11 (NCV)
“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other… Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.” Romans 12:9-10, 14 (NLT)

Terms Learned in This Episode:
Territorial: When an animal protects the place where it lives, rests, eats, or raises its babies.
Hippo Gaping: When two male hippos stand face to face with mouths opened wide in preparation to battle.
Blood Sweat: Red, oily liquid that comes out of a hippo’s skin to protect it.
Pachyderm: An old word for a “thick-skinned” animal.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Have you ever wondered how fish poop? Or why do flamingos balance on one leg while sleeping? Speaking of sleep…do bees sleep at night? In this episode we’re answering curious questions sent in by listeners!
A special thanks to this episode’s sponsor, Master Books! Grow in faith, wonder, and wisdom with books, curriculum, and resources from a Biblical worldview with Master Books at https://www.masterbooks.com/
And CTCMath, an online math program for grades K-12. Catch up, keep up, or get ahead with CTCMath’s effective and flexible curriculum. Enjoy half off CTCMath: https://payments.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool-discount?tr_id=NPT
Join the Nat Theo Club: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/club
Eryn's Books:
Where Wonder Leads: An Adventure in God's Wild and Wonderful World: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/Wonder
Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel
The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Lessons mentioned in this episode:
Can Bees Dance? With Beekeeper Jenny - Episode 35: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/98aedf4a-bc84-4346-9278-cb70a9cf238f/
What Can We Learn From A Whale’s Earwax?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2b66a76f-e37d-4a46-8393-04082dce78d3/

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Why is a peacock more beautiful than it needs to be? Because God makes marvelous things to delight us! Discover why “extravagant beauty” is not a problem for science when we understand that every beautiful thing—including shimmering blue and green peacocks—reflect the glory of our Maker.
Here’s our trail map:
What Kind of Bird Is a Peacock?
Why Do Peacocks Shake Their Tails?
Why Is a Peacock Dressed So Fancy?
Why Did God Make Beautiful Things?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/why-is-a-peacock-so-fancy/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
Can a Mantis Shrimp Really Punch Through Glass? Lesson 87: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/24b18ca5-51d6-4f72-80f1-ec2ea2b1f27d/
How Fast Is a Peregrine Falcon? Lesson 132: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/17a0dbe5-7f64-44e6-8017-fae682ab0090/
Do Ostriches Bury Their Heads in the Sand? Lesson 115: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5eaf8961-e99d-4591-a73e-dd7729bc2e90/

Eryn's Books:
Where Wonder Leads: An Adventure in God's Wild and Wonderful World: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/wonder
Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel
The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Save 25% During Apologia’s Summer Sale Through August 2026
Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day Course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-1-course-set/

Episode Links:
Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/member
Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/club
Free Peacock Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/why-is-a-peacock-so-fancy/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 (NIV)

“Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
He is to be feared above all gods.
The gods of other nations are mere idols,
but the Lord made the heavens!
Honor and majesty surround him;
strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.” Psalm 96:1-6 (NLT)

Terms Learned in This Episode:
Peacock: A male peafowl.
Galliformes: An order or category of mostly ground-dwelling birds often called landfowl that includes chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, grouse, and peafowl.
Peahen: A female peafowl.
Peachick: A baby peafowl.
Train Rattling: When a peacock raises, fans out, and shakes his feathers to get a female peahen’s attention.
Iridescence: When something seems to change colors or shimmer as light hits it from different angles and refracts.
Structural Color: Color caused by tiny 3D structures that change how light bounces back to our eyes.
Ocelli Feathers: Eye spot feathers on a male peafowl (peacock).
Extravagant Beauty: Beauty that seems to go beyond what is simply needed or practical.

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Honey badgers hold a reputation as the most fearless animal on earth, but what makes them brave enough to attack a bee hive or eat a venomous cobra? Discover how God engineered this fierce and tough underground animal to find honey and fight off lions.
Here’s our trail map:
What Is a Honey Badger?
Does A Bird Help Honey Badgers Find Honey?
Can a Honey Badger Eat a Venomous Cobra?
How Does God Help Us Face Our Fears?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/can-a-honey-badger-eat-a-venomous-cobra/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
Can Bees Dance? With Beekeeper Jenny - Episode 35: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/98aedf4a-bc84-4346-9278-cb70a9cf238f/

Eryn's Books:
Where Wonder Leads: An Adventure in God's Wild and Wonderful World: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/wonder
Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel
The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Some of our favorite books by Master Books:
Wonders of Creation: https://www.masterbooks.com/wonders-of-creation
Marvels of Creation 3-book set: https://www.masterbooks.com/marvels-of-creation-3-book-pack
Dinosaurs by Design: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-by-design
Dinosaurs for Kids: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-for-kids-hardback-single
Dinosaurs of Eden: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-of-eden-revised-hardback-single

Episode Links:
Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/member
Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/club
Free Honey Badger Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/can-a-honey-badger-eat-a-venomous-cobra/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:
“Remember that I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you everywhere you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NCV)

“When I am afraid,
I will trust you.
I praise God for his word.
I trust God, so I am not afraid.
What can human beings do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4 (NCV)

“God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:
Mustelidae: The family of mostly carnivorous (meat-eating) mammals that includes otters, weasels, ferrets, badgers, and wolverines.
Mellivora: A genus (small category) containing only honey badgers.
Honeyguides: A family (category) of birds that can lead people to beehives and then eats the wax, bee larvae, or insects left behind. Also called indicator birds.
Honey Hunters: People who search for wild beehives to collect honey.

Honeyguide and human honey hunters information: https://www.nathab.com/blog/cooperation-birds-badgers-bees-and-us
This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

How are baby scorpions born, and do they glow in the dark? Discover God’s designs in these mysterious arachnids and how they remind us that Jesus defeated the sting of death.
Here’s our trail map:
What Is a Scorpion?
Do Scorpions Glow in the Dark?
Why Do Scorpions Sting?
How Did Jesus Defeat the Sting of Death?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/do-scorpions-glow-in-the-dark/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
Why Do Jumping Spiders Jump? Lesson 127: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6a1b9f05-b8b0-467b-857b-75fa43e1a7f8/

Eryn's Books:
Where Wonder Leads: An Adventure in God's Wild and Wonderful World: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/wonder
Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel
The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:
Get half off CTCMath!: https://payments.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool-discount?tr_id=NPT
Explore all of Apologia’s award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/
Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/member
Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/club
Free Scorpion Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/do-scorpions-glow-in-the-dark/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:
“Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock!” Deuteronomy 8:15 (NLT)
“The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.” Psalm 121:7-8 (NLT)
“‘Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?’
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (NIV)
“...He destroyed death, and through the Good News he showed us the way to have life that cannot be destroyed.” 2 Timothy 1:10b (NCV)
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:
Arachnid: A type of animal with eight legs, a body with two main parts, and no antennae or wings. Spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites are all arachnids.
Molt: To shed an old outer covering, such as fur or an exoskeleton.
Biofluorescence: When a creature soaks up light we cannot see well and gives it back out as a glowing color we can see.
Metasoma: The long, bendy part of a scorpion’s abdomen that looks like a tail.
Telson: The end part of a scorpion’s tail-like metasoma that contains the venom bulb and sharp stinger.
Neurotoxins: Toxins (naturally occurring poison) that attack and disrupt the nervous system.
Pedipalps: The scorpion’s large front claws used for grabbing prey, sensing its surroundings, and defending itself.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.