How do they make jumping beans jump?

Answer by  malone (4817)

Jumping beans aren't beans and aren't eaten; they are seed pods of a desert shrub. The eggs of a gray moth are laid on them and the larva develops inside the seed pod, eats the seeds and spins a silk lining inside it. When warmed, it moves around.

Answer by  AstroWiki (113)

Jumping beans have tiny insects that have burrowed into them to eat the bean material and lay their eggs- their movement inside the bean is what makes the beans "jump". Since they are a novelty item, the parasites are often introduced on purpose. When they die or leave, the beans stop moving.

Answer by  bunkerhill (825)

jumping beans actually have a worm inside. while the worm moves around, the bean 'jumps'. They stop jumping when the worm dies, or on rare occasions it will hatch into moth. try cutting one open to see.