A
beehive is an enclosed structure in which some honey bee species of the
subgenus Apis live and raise their young. Natural beehives are naturally occurring structures occupied by honeybee colonies, such as hollowed-out trees, while
domesticated honeybees live in man-made beehives, often in an
apiary. These man-made structures are typically referred to as "beehives". Several species of
Apis live in hives, but only the
western honey bee (
Apis mellifera) and the
eastern honey bee (
Apis cerana) are domesticated by humans. A natural beehive is comparable to a bird's
nest built with a purpose to protect the dweller.