by Kevin Burton
Your cat or dog might not be doing what you tell them to, but they are doing what God told them to, behaving according to God’s design for them.
Mark Twain said, “Man is the only animal that blushes – or needs to.” Well, man, is not an animal, but is created in the image of God, though their behavior is often quite animalistic.
I mention these things today to highlight a list of animal accomplishments compiled by Dictionary Scoop. The architectural marvels mentioned below are possible because these animals follow God’s directions enthusiastically and unquestioningly.
Among those on earth benefitting from the breath of life, humans have the best brains and make by far the least effective use of them.
Maybe I’m not supremely qualified to defend that statement scientifically. But I am supremely confident that time will prove me right.
In the meantime, take a look at a small sample of the animal kingdom and what it routinely produces, taking its cues from the mighty Creator God, complied by Dictionary Scoop, and draw your own conclusions:
“Humans pride themselves on skyscrapers, domes, and bridges—but animals were building architectural marvels long before blueprints existed.”
“Across land, sea, and sky, many creatures design complex structures that are highly efficient, sustainable, and engineered for survival. Here are ten examples where nature’s architects have out-designed even the most advanced human builders.”
1–Termite mounds
Termites in Africa and Australia build towering mounds with natural ventilation systems that regulate temperature and humidity. Some stand more than 30 feet tall.
Their tunnels and chimneys allow gas exchange and moisture control. Scientists have even modeled eco-buildings on their passive airflow design.
2–Beehives
Honeybees build hives with mathematically precise hexagonal cells that maximize space and minimize material use—no wasted wax.
The hexagonal shape offers structural strength while storing the most honey using the least wax, a principle engineers now use in space and aerospace design.
3–Coral reefs
Built by coral polyps, reefs are massive calcium carbonate structures that house thousands of marine species. The Great Barrier Reef is even visible from space!
Corals build by secreting limestone over generations, forming stable, self-sustaining ecosystems with complex flow dynamics and nutrient cycling.
4–Weaverbird nests
Weaverbirds intricately knot grass and twigs to build nests suspended from branches. Some designs have separate chambers for eggs and waste.
They tie more than 10,000 knots per nest using only their beaks. The nests are rainproof, predator-resistant, and aerodynamically sound.
5–Ant colonies
Leafcutter ants and other species excavate massive underground colonies that contain chambers for food, nurseries, and fungus farms.
Some supercolonies cover hundreds of yards and are engineered to handle ventilation, moisture control, and traffic flow with no central planning.
6–Beaver dams
Beavers alter entire landscapes by building dams from logs, mud, and stone to create deep ponds that protect their lodges from predators.
Their dams slow water flow, reduce erosion, and promote wetland biodiversity. They even inspect and repair damage regularly, like human engineers.
7–Pufferfish circles
Male white-spotted pufferfish create large, symmetrical circles on the seafloor to attract mates, sculpting them with fins and body movements.
These formations—up to 7 feet wide—include ridges and central pits designed to reduce water flow and protect eggs from sediment.
8–Trapdoor spider burrows
These spiders dig vertical burrows with a silk-hinged lid, perfectly camouflaged with soil and debris, creating hidden, ambush-ready homes.
The door snaps shut tightly to block predators, while underground tunnels offer shelter and a launch point for hunting.
9–Octopus dens
Off the coast of Australia, octopuses have created dense clusters of dens made from shells and debris, nicknamed “Octopolis.”
These communal sites challenge the notion of octopuses as strictly solitary. The dens are strategically arranged for defense and food access.
10–Naked mole-rat colonies
Naked mole-rats build some of the most complex mammal tunnel systems, complete with toilets, food storage, nurseries, and even ventilation shafts.
The colonies can span several hundred yards, housing dozens of individuals ruled by a single breeding queen, functioning more like insect colonies than typical mammals.
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