Do Bumble Bees Play?

𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬 ? – 𝗕𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦🏐 🐝🏐🏐 🐝🏐

Often, we tend to attribute animal behaviour to survival instincts or needs. Many of us may have watched video clips of crows play-sliding on the snow or farm animals drawn to music – which have proven that animals are not only curious, but do seek joy and pleasure by engaging in pure play. Here is a recent paper proving bumble bees engage in play behaviour.

Here are some excerpts that made us smile:

● Ball rolling behaviour studied on these bumble bees showed that they were not driven by food exploration, clutter clearing or mating.

● Younger bees rolled more balls than older bees

● Male bees rolled individual balls for longer durations than females (they had more free time, compared to female bees who had to collect food for their nest).

● They also showed preference for the colour of the chamber where they rolled balls

● They rolled balls not because of stress (=happy bees played!)

● How does this affect our perception? Can we accept that – just like us and many documented play behaviours in mammals, positive affective states are important for animals too?

Full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347222002366

#AnimalSentience #Bees #AnimalBehaviour



A variety of animals have been found to interact with and manipulate inanimate objects ‘just for fun’, that is, to play. Most clear examples of object…

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000334722..

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ACRES

ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of promoting animal welfare.

ACRES has six focus areas: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wildlife Crime Investigation, Zoo Animal Welfare, Humane Education, Community Outreach and Promoting Cruelty-Free Living.

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