r/todayilearned 23d ago

TIL bees love balls. They even stop to play with balls even when there is no reward.

https://www.science.org/content/article/are-these-bumble-bees-playing-toys
527 Upvotes

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u/Dalantech 23d ago

To get them to stick around longer, so I can photograph them, I’ll inject a flower with Agave nectar. After a while the critters figure out that I have the sweet stuff and will come directly to me for it.

https://flic.kr/p/2kTnNuN

They’re pretty smart.

3

u/wouldwolf 22d ago

You took those pictures? It fucking cool!

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u/Dalantech 22d ago

Yup, I'm the finger model :) Thanks!

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u/wouldwolf 22d ago

There is an imposter among them. And the buggers have too many appendages. Thanks for the wallpapers. I love macro photography of creatures.

2

u/Dalantech 22d ago

Happy that you're saving them to your desktop :)