Pink Butterfly

We visited the Butterfly Biosphere at Thanksgiving Point Monday, and we’re planning to go again tomorrow. I highly recommend it, even though it’s sure to be uncomfortably warm, humid and crowded. If you can’t make it, you can at least enjoy a few fun butterfly facts: Did you know butterflies are cold-blooded? They can’t regulate their body temperature and they can’t fly or eat when it’s below 55F. They’re happiest between 85 and 100 degrees. Butterfly wings are transparent. They don’t look that way because they’re covered with tiny, colorful scales. Most butterflies, once they reach their adult stage, have only a couple of weeks to live. Those that overwinter, like monarchs, can live nine months. Butterflies are nearsighted, but they can see ultraviolet markings on flowers and on each other that we can’t. Butterflies really can taste with their feet. Chemoreceptors on their feet and legs help them find food sources and spots to lay their eggs.