The bumblebee (Bombus) belongs to the family of bees. But it differs in many aspects from the honey bee, making her easy to recognize. It is bigger and more hairy, which protects her better against cold, and it has a very round body. The latter contradicts every principle of aerodynamics humans have conceived, thus it was claimed bumblebees should not be able to fly. Luckily for the bumblebee, humans were mistaken and meanwhile have found out that their flexible wings produce swirls that give them additional uplift. Now the bumblebee can officially fly too.

That the bumblebee does readily and enduring, being very hardworking in collecting pollen and nectar. They play a big role in pollinating a lot of plants, hence in the ecological system. Similarly to bees, there are worker bumblebees that gather the food for the hive: the nymphs, workers, drones, young and old queens. Indeed, in fall all bumblebees except for the new queens, who overwinter, die. In spring the queen has to start again by itself and settle the new hive. A few hundred bumblebees belong to one hive.

Opposite to bees a bumblebee is being able to fly at 2° C already. They warm themselves by contracting their pectoral muscles. In the Himalaya mountains bumblebees are found even at a heigt of 5600 m (~ 17,000 ft).

Maybe our bumblebee is a queen too; for sure it lives longer than just one summer. It will enjoy the summer and sun and of course a lovely home.

Size incl. legs: 12 cm (~ 4.8")
Colour: Black/yellow
Filling: Special polyester fibres
Manufacturer: Kösener Spielzeug Manufaktur, Germany

The proceeds of this sale will be donated to a children's charity organisation.