Ask a Baraminologist: Arctic Foxes, Chickens, and Who is God?

Our first question comes from Anne, who asks, “Do arctic foxes actually stay in the arctic or anywhere?”

Great question, Anne. The arctic fox, known to science as Vulpes lagopus, is a member of the dog kind, and yes, it is restricted specifically to the Arctic regions of the northern hemisphere. The map below shows its home range. Basically, anywhere in the northern hemisphere where you have arctic tundra, you will find arctic foxes. Interestingly, in the summer, the arctic fox will shed its white winter coat and become a much darker color before regrowing its winter coat again as winter returns to the tundra. We will talk more about arctic foxes in our article on the Canine kind, so stay tuned for that.

Our second question comes from Shiloh, who asks, “I read in my National Geographic Kids magazine (4/22) that some chickens are born half male, half female. Is this true?”

Excellent question, Shiloh! It turns out that, yes, this is true. In fact, many bird species have the ability to produce these gynandromorphs. They have been seen in cardinals, rose-breasted grosbeaks, chickens, warblers, and other birds. This happens when a mistake happens during bird reproduction. Basically, the egg gets too much DNA from dad. This causes half of the bird’s body to develop male traits and colors, while the other half develops female traits and colors. This is a very rare event, and the bird cannot produce babies.1 In our fallen world, rare mistakes like this will happen and are completely beyond the bird’s control.

Our third question comes from Haisley, who asks, “Who is God?”

Haisley, thank you for this question. This is one of the most important questions you can ask, and I think you know that. The Bible gives us many different names for God, each describing an aspect of his character. He is the Creator of the universe, without beginning or end, all-powerful, and all-knowing. In other words, he has no beginning. He has no end. Nothing exists that he did not make. He knows everything, and he has all the power that has ever existed. No nation, no king, no president is anywhere near as powerful as God. He is everywhere we can possibly go, even if we one day visit Mars or the bottom of the deepest ocean. Yet despite being so much stronger, smarter, and more powerful than we are, God still loves us and wants us to have fellowship with him. If you want to learn more about that, check out our “Good News” section.

Learn more about God's attributes by taking the God of Wonder Challenge!

Hopefully, these answers have helped you and blessed you. Make sure you join us again next week—I will be answering a couple more questions from other kids just like you! If you have a question, ask your parents to help you submit it here.

Footnotes

1. Janet Fang. “Chicken’s split sex identity revealed,” Nature (2010).