How Bumblebee Queens Can Survive Underwater for Days

Saturday, March 14, 2026

The discovery that bumblebee queens could shake it off and emerge unscathed after more than a week submerged in water stunned scientists back in 2024.

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Hibernating bumblebee queens can breathe underwater to survive a flood, a new study shows. Their metabolisms also switch to strategies that don't rely on oxygen. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bumblebee-queens-breathe-underwater

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-- Science News (@sciencenews.bsky.social) Mar 10, 2026 at 11:17 PM

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