Is a “sawtooth shark” a real animal? And how do they use their nose like a metal detector, sword, and shovel? Discover the mystery of this often confused creature and how God designed sawfish with a long jagged nose to find and catch their next meal.

Here’s our trail map:

What Is a Sawtooth Shark?
Why Do Sawfish Have a Saw?
Are Sawfish Born With Saws?
How Can We Tell What Is True From What Is False?

Related Lessons to listen to next:

How Do Fish Breathe Underwater?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0fc09da4-deab-42ce-9e57-2a2d5e9a2d8c/
What Is a Shark’s 6th Sense?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6d415944-5436-4f3c-810f-7ab3cf20591a/

Eryn's Books:

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:

Discover God’s designs in crabs and other ocean creatures with Apologia’s Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-course-set/
Explore all of Apologia’s award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/
Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/member
Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club
Free Sawfish Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/are-sawfish-born-with-saws/
Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/ask

Further Research:

An excellent article on sawfish by Creation Ministries International: https://creation.com/en/articles/wonderfully-designed-sawfish

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“There used to be false prophets among God’s people, just as you will have some false teachers in your group. They will secretly teach things that are wrong—teachings that will cause people to be lost. They will even refuse to accept the Master, Jesus, who bought their freedom. So they will bring quick ruin on themselves. Many will follow their evil ways and say evil things about the way of truth.” 2 Peter 2:1-2 (NCV)

“The time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching but will find many more teachers who please them by saying the things they want to hear. They will stop listening to the truth and will begin to follow false stories.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NCV)

“...The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true.” Acts 17:11b (NCV)

“Really, there is no other Good News. But some people are confusing you; they want to change the Good News of Christ. We preached to you the Good News. So if we ourselves, or even an angel from heaven, should preach to you something different, we should be judged guilty! I said this before, and now I say it again: You have already accepted the Good News. If anyone is preaching something different to you, let that person be judged guilty!” Galatians 1:7-9 (NCV)

“Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Spiracle: A special breathing hole located behind each eye that brings in water to flow over gills, so a creature can breathe while resting on the bottom of the ocean.
Rostrum: A long, flat, saw-shaped snout with sharp “teeth” along the edges.
Dermal Denticles: Teeth-like scales covering the skin of sharks and rays.
Chondrichthys: Fish including sharks and rays that have cartilaginous bodies instead of bones.
Cartilage: Strong tissue in a body that is flexible.
Ray: A category of chondrichthyes (cartilaginous) fish with flat bodies and large pectoral fins, mouths and gills on their underside, spiracles for breathing, and some have whip-like tails.
Ampullae of Lorenzini: Jelly-filled sacs (pores) that allow sharks and rays, including sawfish, to sense the electrical field and find food using electrical currents.
Ovoviviparous: Babies grow inside the mother and are born live, but they’re fed by a yolk sac (not a placenta) and no hard egg is laid.

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Why Do Sawfish Have a Saw? Lesson 118