Critters of the Week

Where Spotted: Westover Hills
Common Name: Common Eastern Bumblebee
Scientific Name: Bombus impatiens
Average Length: 0.35 in to 0.82 in (9 mm – 21 mm)

Quick Facts (iNaturalist)

• The common eastern bumble bee can be found throughout the east coast from Maine to Florida and west through Ohio.
• They have underground nests that are 1–3 feet below the ground surface.
• Unlike the nests of honeybees or paper wasps, the nests do not have a predictable pattern. The bees lay egg clumps all over inside the nest instead of having one brood area around which the workers’ distribution center is arranged.
• Colonies use a strategy called traplining, in which the bees visit their food sources in a repeatable sequence, to improve their efficiency, especially in an unfamiliar environment.
• To create honey, the bees consume the pollen and the nectar, and then regurgitate them, mixing them with enzymes in their stomachs. The honey is stored and used as a winter food source.

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Nugget at Richmond SPCA

There’s a diamond in the ruff, uniquely set in this golden boy Nugget.

He’s still a work in progress who looks to his person for confidence and reassurance. Although he came to us not knowing much about the big, sometimes scary world, he’s come to love car rides, learned the cues for sit and down, and developed leash manners. Nugget has been building on positive experiences with other dogs and does really well on buddy walks.

He’s looking for an adult-only home with a patient person who will help him continue to learn and explore.

Age: 5 years, 5 months
Gender: Neutered Male
Color: Black / Blue
Size: L (dog size guide)
ID: 44013649

Adopt Nugget at Richmond SPCA

Learn more about their adoption process.