Bees play a crucial role in the ecosystem and is responsible for pollinating 30% of the global food supply.
Unfortunately, they face many serious threats including: habitat loss, disease and pests (like Parasitic tracheal mites and the Varroa mites), climate change, pesticides and invasive plants.
There are many ways to help bees overcome these threats, regardless of where you live.
Plant pollinator friendly gardens
Plant native plants
Plant gardens that provide food at different times of the year
Make sure the plants and flowers you purchase are not treated with pesticides.
You don’t need a lot of space to plant nectar rich food (flowerpots are great too!)
Plant trees, they provide food and shelter to pollinators and wildlife
Less lawn!
Reduce the size of your lawn or replace it altogether with pollinator friendly plants, shrubs and flowers.
No Spray
Pesticides are bad for people, wildlife and pollinators. Eliminate pesticide use in your yard.
Organic farmers are great resources if you have questions about pesticide alternatives
Bee Habitats
Provide solitary bees with bee block condos or leave dead trees/branches in your yard for them to live in
Designate an area in your yard for ground nesting bees like bumblebees
Bee Baths
Provide your pollinators with a water source. There are many inexpensive ideas to make bee baths like using a shallow bird bath.
Place the bee bath in a shady area
Put something in the bee bath like rocks to prevent them from drowning
Make sure to change the water frequently
Buy local and support local beekeepers
Buy honey from local beekeepers to support pollinators in your area.
Bee Swarms
Call your local beekeepers if you see a swarm. They will be happy to give the swarm a place to stay!
Become a Beekeeper
Beekeeping is a very rewarding experience and there are many classes you can take to learn the basics.
You can also learn about keeping mason bees or leafcutter bees!
Rhinoceros is a combination of 2 Greek words; rhino meaning
nose and ceros meaning horn.
2. There are 5 species of rhinoceros
Two species are native to Africa – white rhinos and black
rhinos.
Three species are native to Asia – Greater one-horned
rhinos, Javan rhinos and Sumatran rhinos.
3. Adult rhinos have no natural predators
Adult rhinos have almost no natural predators except humans.
Poaching, hunting, habitat loss, & habitat fragmentation have taken its
toll on all the rhino species.
4. About 500,000 rhinos roamed in the wild at the beginning of the 20th century
Today, there are only 30,000 rhinos left in the wild.
5. Rhino horns are made of a protein called keratin
A rhino’s horn is a compacted mass of hairs that continually
grow throughout their lifetime. This protein is the same substance found in our
hair and fingernails.
6. Ranked by size
White rhinos are the second largest land mammal after the elephant. They can weigh over 5000 pounds!
White rhinos are also the largest rhino species, followed by
the greater one-horned rhino, the Javan rhino, the black rhino, and lastly the
Sumatran rhino.
7. Rhino have three toes on each foot
Rhinos belong to a group called odd-toed angulates or
perissodactyls. Their closest living relatives are horses, zebras and tapirs.
8. There is no color difference between black and white rhinos
Both rhino species are gray in color. White rhinos got their
name from the Afrikaans word “wyd” which means wide and refers to their muzzle.
9. Browsers vs. grazers
Rhinos are broadly divided into browsers or grazers – depending on their style of feeding. Grazers, like white rhinos, feed low on the ground and prefer short grasses. Browsers, on the other hand, prefer leaves and twigs.
10. Follow or lead
White rhino calves will run in front of their mothers, while
black rhino calves will run behind their mothers.
11. Rhino gestation period is 15-16 months
Once born, a newborn rhino will be walking within one hour
after birth but will remain unsteady for a few days. The calf will remain with
their mothers for 2 to 4 years.
12. Insect repellent and sunscreen
Rhinos will wallow in mud and take dust baths to protect themselves against biting insects, ticks, and from the sun.
