Many Baltimoreans dream of escaping the
heavy August heat, even for just a few days. Though their vacations differ in
distance and destination, they all seek a change in scenery (and humidity).
Some take the opportunity to spend quality family time filled with fun outings,
while others just want to relax. But, as much as people enjoy their well-earned
time off, there is something special about coming back home. Despite the fear
that whatever was left in the fridge will not be pretty, it feels satisfying to
finally open your own front door after being away.
The homes that
animals build are incredible feats of engineering and varied to suit the needs
of each one. Using a wide range of building materials, insects, birds, and
mammals make amazing structures that protect them from the elements, keep them
safe from predators, and offer a few comforts of home.
Builders
Beavers are master
architects. Their dome-shaped structures, seen throughout North America and
parts of Europe, are strong enough that they won’t collapse under the pressure
of heavy snow. Using only their teeth and paws, beavers cleverly construct
their lodges with two entrances, so that if their safety is threatened, they
can escape via the other exit. They even have an air vent to help cool down the
internal temperature on hot summer days. And beavers do not only build their
homes in the middle of ponds; they also build the ponds. To do this, they
construct dams that can be up to 10 feet high and almost 100 feet long! The
moat of deep, cool water keeps their supply of food (branches and twigs) fresh
for the whole winter and keeps them safe from predators that can’t swim.
Blues
In addition to
practicality, some creatures build for beauty. The male satin bowerbird, found
in Australia, spends almost a year weaving and decorating his nest, called a
bower, in hopes of attracting a mate. Bowerbirds carefully collect and arrange shiny
or brightly colored objects to maximize the impact of their display. Each type
of bowerbird has its own favorite color; satin bowerbirds prefer blue. They
design an “avenue,” which consists of two parallel walls that sometimes arch
and meet at the top, interwoven with anything of interest they can find,
including flowers, berries, bottle caps, string, straws, etc. – all of them
blue! They are not only highly skilled in designing the structure of their
homes; they are perhaps the only creature to excel in interior decorating.
Bowerbirds spend time each day arranging and rearranging their collection to
suit the latest styles in order to stay ahead of the competition and impress
the females.
Bandits
Some animals set
out their welcome mats and keep the same return address for their entire lives.
Others, like the raccoon, will call just about anywhere home as long as it is
near food. They may even switch their den every night! Raccoons thrive
nationwide, from country hillsides to busy cities. Although they are great
climbers, they do not live in trees, choosing to make their dens in hollow logs
or under rocks. Raccoons in urban areas get away with free rent in sheds,
attics, and abandoned cars. Wherever they sleep, they will likely have a long
commute to search for food, traveling up to 18 miles every night. Raccoons are
nocturnal and will generally bed down when the sun is up, though there are a
number of reasons why they would be out during the day, including the need for
extra food while pregnant or nursing. Or they may be sick. Although it is not
true that all raccoons seen during the day have rabies, they are considered a
major carrier. As cute as they are, we have to respect the wildlife we
encounter and keep a safe distance.
Bees
Although people
often associate bees with hives hanging from trees, most nectar-gatherers live
underground in burrows ranging from six to 16 inches deep. Furry ground bees
are usually solitary and gentle. They tend to avoid people but can sting once
if they feel threatened. Smooth-bodied yellow jackets also live in the dirt but
are aggressive and can sting multiple times. Unlike honeybees that contribute
to the community, ground bees are solitary creatures and each female makes her
own nest. Therefore, if you spot one hole in the ground, there may be hundreds
more. On the positive side, since they don’t live together, they won’t swarm
together if disturbed the way hive bees will. Bees are our most important
pollinator; plant life would perish without them. Because they are usually calm
and play such a crucial role in our backyard ecosystems, it is best to leave
the ground bees alone.
Below Ground
While some people
prefer that their windows catch the morning sun, others would like a gentler
wake-up call. Australian compass termites craft their tall tombstone-shaped
mounds with the main axis running
north and south. As a result, the broad sides of their homes are bathed
in the sun’s warmth in the morning and late afternoon but avoid the direct heat
in the middle of the day, when it would become stifling. As much as we set
maintaining a comfortable internal environment as a top priority, it is crucial
for cold-blooded creatures, whose body systems will simply shut down if they
get too hot or too cold. Taking their size into account, compass termites truly
build the skyscrapers of the insect world. Their towers can reach up to 13 feet
tall, 8 feet wide, and 3 feet deep – which, when scaled for their size, is
equivalent to the tallest buildings ever made by man! Even more fascinating,
the compass termites don’t even live in these huge structures; they are built
as a ventilation system, removing old, stale air and replacing it with fresh
air. Because the tops of their towers reach toward the sky, the underground
termite colony enjoys a comfortable internal environment.
Home Isn’t a
Place; It’s a Feeling
Home is synonymous
with the heart, and humans go far beyond the creatures that creep and crawl in
creating an atmosphere in their homes that promotes giving and internal growth.
Instead of being complacent with comfort, we strive for calm. Rather than
simply providing protection, our walls promote peace. When Hashem changed Bilam’s
curse to a blessing, the highest praise He could give the Jewish people
referenced their homes: “Ma tovu ohalecha
– How praiseworthy are your tents.” In fact, we extend our blessing to all who
step over our threshold with the greeting: “Bruchim
haba’im – May those who enter be blessed.” Our homes are actually
comparable to the holy Beis Hamikdash and are even called a mikdash me’at, a small temple. It is
within the walls where we reside that we try our best to reach great heights.
Many creatures
leave their birthplace to grow and develop but inevitably return in order to
give birth to the next generation. Bogong moths travel 600 miles across
Australia to the exact rock on which they spread their wings for the first
time. Loggerhead turtles swim 8,000 miles from Japan to Baja, California, and
the Arctic tern flies 12,000 miles from pole to pole. These creatures were not
taught where to go; Hashem instilled in each one the natural instinct to know
the way home. People were given a similar sentiment in order to return “home”
no matter where they wander. The way back is always open (and closer than we
think).
Upon opening one’s
front door for the first time after a few days or a few weeks away, you unpack
bags of dirty clothes, snacks you’re not sure why you bought, and finally find
the sunglasses in the bottom of a bag you thought you left behind. As you
wonder if a “staycation” is the way to go next year, it’s important to keep in
mind that our homes are so much more than the walls and roof they are built
from. They are where we can build ourselves. One may travel the world in search
of what he needs only to return home to find it.
Debbie Glazer
lives in Pikesville with her husband and seven children and teaches Language
Arts in Bnos Yisroel High School. She can often be found either writing or
reading and loves to share her passion for the written word with others.
