Bumblebees enjoy playing with balls

New research shows that bees may be more intelligent than we previously thought and that they like to play! Watch this video to find out more.

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Transcript

Now scientists in the UK have discovered that bumblebees enjoy playing with balls, just as humans and dogs do. Researchers at Queen Mary University in London say the research, which was published in the journal Animal Behaviour, provides a strong indication that insect minds are far more sophisticated than we might have imagined. Aruna Iyengar has this report.

It's an extraordinary sight: a bee plays with a ball. It's more than just cute. Researchers say this shows, for the first time, insects interacting with inanimate objects as a form of play. And that suggests their minds are more complex than we previously thought. 

Bees are known to work cooperatively in hives. They give us honey and wax, and our ecosystem relies on them through pollination. But despite their tiny size and brains, they're far from being just nature's workhorses. A team at Queen Mary University of London designed a series of experiments where bees rolled wooden balls. They found the bees showed their playful side without any extra inducement like a sugary treat. They went back to the toys again and again. Younger bees played more than older ones, and adult males rolled for longer than females of a similar age. 

Aruna Iyengar, BeeBC News

© BBC

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Submitted by Talal_Alam on Fri, 13/06/2025 - 14:13

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Interesting piece of info.

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Submitted by enleelapun on Thu, 29/05/2025 - 11:52

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I have always considered bees as one of the most intelligent and productive insects. It's amusing to figure out that bees actually like playing balls just like us.

Submitted by Gilson on Wed, 28/05/2025 - 22:01

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I can't think of another animal as amazing as bees right now. Sure, they can be dangerous, but the honey they produce is absolutely delicious. Butterflies, on the other hand, are beautiful. So I guess those two are my favorite insects. :)

Submitted by PattyQ on Wed, 28/05/2025 - 03:07

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I didn't know anything like this about bees. It was surprising!

Submitted by JMORTEGA on Tue, 27/05/2025 - 00:11

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My favourite insect is ants, because they as the bees works in hives, along one each others, but you can see ants easiest than bees, so, I loved watch them.

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Submitted by pop.kaloudi- on Sun, 25/05/2025 - 19:49

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The video is really very moving. I felt awe in front of this microcosm.
Anyway, my favorite insect is the butterfly. They are beautiful, with a wide variety of patterns and colors on their wings. You are not afraid of being bitten like mosquitoes or bees and we see them in places where they are clean and fragrant. But I can't hide my admiration for every insect I meet.
Each one has something special that helps balance the environment.

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Submitted by IvanBritishCouncil on Sat, 24/05/2025 - 13:47

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My favourite insects are moscuitos because I can satisfy myself by killing 'em with a plenty of ways

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Submitted by CalvinLe on Mon, 19/05/2025 - 11:18

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Honestly, I'm not into insects, but if I have to choose, I would say butterfly is my favourite type. Their colors make me feel that they are cute and attractive.

Submitted by kotik007 on Sun, 18/05/2025 - 21:19

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I like bees and butterflies. Bees are really hard-working and give us honey. I like it and have already tried several different types. And butterflies are beautiful and don't cause harm, so we can just enjoy their charm

Submitted by Kenzi Firdaus on Mon, 17/02/2025 - 06:51

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Who's want to play with be?