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You know how they say, "Tough times don't last, but tough bees do?" Okay, maybe that's not a common saying, but it should be! Honey bees, those tiny buzzing wonders, are masters of survival, even when facing the wrath of Mother Nature. From fiery infernos to raging storms, these little warriors have a few tricks up their fuzzy sleeves.
Let's talk volcanoes, for instance. Imagine a volcano erupting, spewing ash and toxic fumes everywhere. Scary, right? Well, when a volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma erupted in 2021, the local Canary black bees weren't fazed. They hunkered down in their hives and sealed themselves in using propolis, a sticky substance they make from plant resin, beeswax, and saliva. Talk about a natural bunker! For 50 days, these resilient bees stayed put, surviving on their honey stores until the danger passed.
And what about wildfires? You might think a raging fire would spell doom for a beehive, but you'd be surprised. Remember the devastating fire that tore through the Notre Dame Cathedral in 2019? The beehives on the roof, amazingly, survived! While the exact reasons are still a bit of a mystery, experts believe their location, combined with the bees' natural instinct to fan their wings and regulate hive temperature, played a role.
Hurricanes are another story. While a direct hit can be devastating, honey bees have weathered many a storm. Their secret weapon? You guessed it – propolis! This wonder substance helps seal up the hive, keeping out wind and rain. As long as the hive doesn't get submerged in water, the bees can ride out the storm safely inside, munching on their honey reserves.
These examples highlight the incredible resilience of honey bees. They've evolved over millions of years to adapt to challenges, and their ability to survive natural disasters is a testament to their strength.
But it's not just about survival for these busy bees. They play a vital role in our ecosystem, pollinating a vast array of plants that provide us with food and beauty. So, the next time you see a honey bee buzzing around, take a moment to appreciate these tiny heroes. They're not just surviving; they're thriving, and they're helping our planet thrive too.
"In each episode of our podcast, we rack up points for teaching others the most mind-blowing science facts related to the week’s theme. And we’ve got a whole episode about bees!" - SciShow Tangents
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