Check out the legs on this bee!

It is not pumping iron, it’s packing pollen!

Literally hundreds of the tiny grains are resting on its pollen sacs waiting for the flight home. Bees have special combs on their front legs that they use to brush the pollen off their bodies and onto the sticky pollen sacs found on their hind legs.

From flower to flower, the pollen builds up giving the bee one fat, pumped-up hind leg!

Fun Fact – Bees tell each other where to find the pollen/nectar through a unique pattern of “dances” known as the waggle.

Teaching Science at Home

Want to learn more about bees and pollen? Check out the following articles:

• What are pollen sacs? from Gardening for Wildlife
• {Video} Why do we need bees? from Earth Rangers

Related Homeschool Science Activities

Keep the learning going with these science activities!

• Pollination – Learn more about the two types of pollination with this article and activity!
• Honey Bees – Learn more about honey bees with this activity pack from the Homeschool Scientist.