bees on box

[MandF]

Kirstie allsopps "i've got an effing big country house, pots of money and too much time on my hands country crafty self gratification show"

Not forgetting "with a kitchen straight out of a 50's manual for your obedient housewife".

Mind you, I still would...

 

[drstitson]

"Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate. It is the animal's slowed metabolic rate which leads to a reduction in body temperature and not the other way around.
Hibernation may last several days or weeks depending on species, ambient temperature, time of year, and fur on the animal's body. The typical winter season for a hibernator is characterized by periods of hibernation interrupted by sporadic euthermic arousals wherein body temperature is restored to typical levels"

i'd argue that most bees are not running at full whack whilst clustered but have periods of interspersed activity. sounds a lot like hibernation to me by the definition above (but not like the blue peter tortoise - which of course slept all winter but had the prospect of having it's eyes cleaned with cotton wool dipped in janet ellis' breast milk on waking).

 

[Hivemaker.]

Think there are some species of frogs that remain frozen for months.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=UvCdOXG2rPo

 

[Swarm]

There's a frog in Australia that stays buried for months, they store water. I remember David Attenborough digging one up and squeezing it for a drink.

 

[greatbritishhoney]

I'm sure I remember David Attenborough talking about a cicada that stays dormant for 17 years then comes out to mate.

 

[Hivemaker.]

I'm sure I remember David Attenborough talking about a cicada that stays dormant for 17 years then comes out to mate.

That sounds more like me.

 

[Chris58]

It was the grin from Kirstie as the beek said he'd retrieved the swarm from the 'ladys' bush' that said everything!

 

[TBRNoTB]

coming up shortly on 4 (after ads) - kirstie A looking at bees - featuring a swarm retrieved from a lady's bush!!!!!

Doc, you need to get out more!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

"Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate. It is the animal's slowed metabolic rate which leads to a reduction in body temperature and not the other way around.
Hibernation may last several days or weeks depending on species, ambient temperature, time of year, and fur on the animal's body. The typical winter season for a hibernator is characterized by periods of hibernation interrupted by sporadic euthermic arousals wherein body temperature is restored to typical levels"

i'd argue that most bees are not running at full whack whilst clustered but have periods of interspersed activity. sounds a lot like hibernation to me by the definition above (but not like the blue peter tortoise - which of course slept all winter but had the prospect of having it's eyes cleaned with cotton wool dipped in janet ellis' breast milk on waking).

Just realised - i think i've been hibernating for the last 40 years!

 

[drstitson]

"Doc, you need to get out more!"

granted but given the nippy weather over last few mornings i'd better get my coat!!

 

[RoseCottage]

Hibernation, breast milk, Janet Ellis...I'm.confused...

Is this a new definition perhaps:

Hibernation can be characterised by the female of the species tucking her ****s into her socks for long periods over winter and the male of the species tucking his vest into his pants to increase heat retention. With the arrival of spring the behaviour of both members changes, the female tucks her ****s into tights (although disturbingly some retain socks) and the male shaves and removes his vest (although some retain the overwintering pants). These changes typically herald the start of the spring mating season.

???

Sam

 

[drstitson]

admittedly i may be suffering from false memory syndrome BUT both OH and I remember said tortoise being removed from box of straw in spring and having the sleep removed from it's eyes using cotton wool dipped in tepid fluid, presumably expressed by said unmarried yet parous female presenter.

 

[RoseCottage]

Do you and your OH remember whether she uttered those immortal words...


Here's some I prepared earlier


As I feel that would be decisive.

Sam