Bees are some of the most fascinating creatures on Earth. The flying critters have been producing honey since the Cretaceous period (100 million years ago) when dinosaurs still roamed the planet. Bees are remarkably hard workers. For example, to produce one pound (454 milligrams) of honey, bees must visit two million flowers and fly over 55,000 miles (88,514 km). An average honey bee, despite its industriousness, only produces about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its short life span (28 to 35 days). This explains why bee colonies generally number in the tens of thousands. The speedy little fliers also travel great distances, generally within two miles of their hive. (Comparing their size to ours, that’s like us traveling 250 miles.) The bee product we’re most familiar with – honey – is a fundamental part of many cultures, whether it be in medicine, cuisine, or folklore about hungry bears.
