Bees Built Nests in Bones: A Surprising Ancient Behavior

Bees are usually known for their big hives in trees, but most of them are actually loners. They build their nests in the ground or inside old logs. However, scientists recently found something strange.

Ancient Bee Nests in a Limestone Cave

Scientists discovered tiny ancient bee nests inside a limestone cave on the island of Hispaniola. These nests were built in the empty tooth sockets of fossilized bones. This is the first time bees have been seen using bones to nest and lay eggs.

The cave is full of fossils from many different animals. Some of these animals are now extinct. Scientists think that barn owls once lived in the cave. The owls would eat their prey and then cough up the bones. Over time, these bones fossilized. Other animals, like tortoises and crocodiles, might have fallen into the cave and died. The cave's environment helped preserve these fossils.

Unusual Nesting Behavior

The scientists who studied the cave noticed something odd. There was dirt inside the tooth sockets of the fossils. This dirt looked like the nests of wasps. But after doing some tests, they found out that the nests were actually made by bees. Bee nests are smooth on the inside because they use compacted dirt and a waxy substance. This is very unusual because bees usually nest in shaded areas, not inside caves.

Generations of Bees

The scientists also found out that the nests were not made by just one bee. Up to six generations of bees used the same nest. This means that the bees might have lived together in a big group. However, the scientists could not figure out which species of bee made the nests. They also do not know if the bees are still around today.

Importance of the Discovery

This discovery is important because it shows that bees can adapt to their environment in surprising ways. It also reminds us that there is still a lot we do not know about bees and their behavior. The scientists hope to go back to the cave to learn more about the bees and their nests.