How Do Bumblebees Stay Warm High in the Mountains?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do bumblebees stay warm high in the mountains?

The Big Idea

Bumblebees stay warm high in the mountains with fuzzy coats and shivering muscles! Bumblebees are big, fuzzy bees with thick hair that holds in heat. They are great pollinators in cold places.

Fuzzy Coat

Step one: a fuzzy coat. Bumblebees have thick hair all over their bodies. Just like a sweater, the fuzz traps warmth close to the bee. Even in cold air, its body stays toasty.

Shiver to Warm Up

Step two: shiver and warm up. Before flying on a cold morning, a bumblebee shivers its flight muscles to warm up. It gets its body up to about 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and then it can fly.

High Fliers

Step three: cold-weather pollinators. Bumblebees visit flowers from alpine meadows to the Himalayas. Their fuzz helps hold warmth in all day long. Without bumblebees, many mountain flowers would not make seeds.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The bumblebee has a thick, fuzzy body. On cold mornings, it shivers its flight muscles. The shivering makes heat that the fuzz holds in. Then it flies off to visit flowers.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Bumblebees have been seen flying at over 18,000 feet in the Himalayas. That is higher than most mountain tops in the world. They carry pollen from flower to flower as they go. Fuzz and muscle power make this possible. What a tough little insect!

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Wrap one thermometer in cotton, and leave another bare. Place both in a cool spot for ten minutes. Which one stays warmer? That is why a bumblebee's fuzz helps!

Outro

Bumblebees stay warm with fuzzy coats and shivering muscles. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!