How do salmon journey from a freshwater river to the saltwater ocean? And after years at sea, how do they find their way home to the exact river where they hatched? Discover how God designed salmon just right for their incredible adventure.

Here’s our trail map:

• Where Do Salmon Live?
• How Do Salmon Live In Both Fresh and Salt Water?
• Why Do Salmon Swim Upstream?
• Where Is Our True Home?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/why-do-salmon-swim-upstream/

Related Lessons to listen to next:

• How Do Fish Breathe Underwater? The Curious Ways Creatures Breathe - Lesson 68: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0fc09da4-deab-42ce-9e57-2a2d5e9a2d8c/
• How Does God Water All the Plants and Animals? Lesson 110: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/01e9495f-489d-46cf-9c58-e0be1b6084f3/

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:

• 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://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/member
• Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/club
• Free Salmon Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/why-do-salmon-swim-upstream/
• Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“So God created the large sea animals and every living thing that moves in the sea. The sea is filled with these living things, with each one producing more of its own kind. He also made every bird that flies, and each bird produced more of its own kind. God saw that this was good. God blessed them and said, ‘Have many young ones so that you may grow in number. Fill the water of the seas, and let the birds grow in number on the earth.’” Genesis 1:21-22 (NCV)

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and there was no sea anymore…. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Now God’s presence is with people, and he will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because all the old ways are gone.’

The One who was sitting on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new!...’” Revelation 21: 1,3-5a (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:

• Anadromous: An animal that is born in fresh water, lives most of its life in the ocean, and then returns to fresh water to have babies.
• Osmoregulation: The process of an animal’s body balancing water and salt so it stays healthy.
• Ionocytes: Special cells in a salmon’s gills that help control salt balance.
• Smoltification: The set of changes that helps a young salmon get ready to leave fresh water and live in salt water.
• Redd: A nest that a female salmon makes in the gravel at the bottom of a stream or river.
• Homing Instinct: A natural ability in some animals to return to an important place, like its home or nesting area, even after traveling far away.

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