20 Amazing Facts About Ants

When you think of nature’s wonders, it’s easy to overlook the tiny creatures that scurry beneath our feet. Yet, ants (family Formicidae) are some of the most fascinating and diverse organisms on our planet. These small but mighty insects have developed complex social structures, remarkable survival strategies, and stunning adaptations that have allowed them to thrive in nearly every habitat across the globe.

In this article, we will delve into the incredible world of ants, uncovering surprising facts and exploring some of the most extraordinary species that you can observe in the wild. Join us on this enthralling journey into the microcosm of ants, as we reveal the secrets of these often-underappreciated marvels of nature.

Essential Information About Ants

20 Amazing, Little-Known Facts About Ants

1. Ants have super strength: Relative to their size, ants are incredibly strong, with the ability to carry objects up to 50 times their own body weight. This strength comes from their small size, which allows for a higher muscle-to-body weight ratio (Source: Smithsonian Magazine).
2. Ants don’t have lungs: Instead of lungs, ants have tiny tubes called tracheae that transport oxygen throughout their bodies. This system of air-filled tubes allows for efficient gas exchange without the need for a respiratory system like ours (Source: ThoughtCo).
3. Ants can form living structures: Some ant species, like army ants, can link their bodies together to create bridges or even “rafts” to help their colony traverse difficult terrain or cross water (Source: National Geographic).
4. Ants have two stomachs: One stomach is for personal use, while the other, known as the “social stomach,” is for storing food to share with other members of the colony. This sharing process, called trophallaxis, helps distribute nutrients and maintain colony cohesion (Source: ScienceDirect).
5. The total biomass of ants is estimated to be equal to or greater than the biomass of humans: Ants are so numerous and widespread that their combined weight is thought to rival that of the entire human population (Source: BBC Earth).
6. Ants can “enslave” other ants: Some species, like the Amazon ant, raid the nests of other ant species and take their pupae as hostages. These “slave” ants are then raised and put to work for the raiding colony (Source: ScienceDaily).
7. Ants can live for a surprisingly long time: While most worker ants live for just a few months, queen ants can live for several years, and some have been known to live for up to 30 years (Source: ScienceABC).
8. Ants have a unique way of communicating: They communicate using pheromones, chemical signals that are released by individual ants to convey specific messages to their colony members (Source: AntARK).
9. Ants can “farm” other insects: Some ants, like leafcutter ants, cultivate fungi as a food source, while others tend to aphids, “milking” them for honeydew, a sugary substance produced by the aphids (Source: National Geographic).
10. The largest known ant colony spans thousands of miles: The Argentine ant colony in Europe stretches over 3,700 miles, from Italy to northwest Spain, and comprises billions of ants (Source: Discover Magazine).
11. Ants can self-destruct to protect their colony: The Malaysian “exploding ant” has specialized glands that produce a toxic secretion. When threatened, these ants will rupture their own bodies, releasing the toxic substance to repel or kill enemies (Source: National Geographic).
12. Ants can form supercolonies: Some ant species are capable of forming massive, cooperative supercolonies that can cover vast areas and consist of millions or even billions of ants (Source: BBC Earth).
13. There are over 12,000 known species of ants: Ants can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and they exhibit a wide range of behaviors and adaptations to their environments (Source: AntWeb).
14. Ants practice “antybiotics”: Some ants produce their own antimicrobial chemicals to protect themselves and their colonies from harmful bacteria and fungi (Source: PNAS).
15. Some ants have an unusual reproductive strategy: The queen of the “clonal raider ant” reproduces asexually, producing genetically identical offspring without the need for males (Source: ScienceDaily).
16. Ants can navigate using the position of the sun: Desert ants, for example, can calculate their position relative to their nest by keeping track of the movement of the sun across the sky (Source: Scientific American).
17. Some ants can “swim”: Some species, like the trap-jaw ant, are able to propel themselves across the water’s surface by rapidly snapping their mandibles (Source: Smithsonian Magazine).
18. Ants can take down prey much larger than themselves: Army ants, for example, are known to swarm and overwhelm prey many times their size, including small mammals and reptiles (Source: Natural History Museum).
19. Some ants can glide: Certain species of ants, like the “gliding ant,” are able to glide through the air when falling from trees, helping them return to their home on the trunk (Source: Live Science).
20. Ants have been around for millions of years: The oldest known ant fossil dates back around 100 million years, suggesting that ants have been a part of Earth’s ecosystems for a very long time (Source: Smithsonian Magazine).

5 Fascinating Type of Ants to Observe in The Wild

1. Leafcutter ants (Atta spp. and Acromyrmex spp.): These ants are famous for their ability to cut and carry leaves back to their nests, where they use them to cultivate fungi for food. You can observe leafcutter ants in Central and South America, particularly in countries like Costa Rica and Brazil. To find them, visit rainforests, national parks, or biological reserves. Keep an eye out for their trails on the forest floor, where they carry pieces of leaves in a single file. Tip: Join a guided tour with an experienced naturalist to better understand their behavior and ecology.
2. Weaver ants (Oecophylla spp.): Weaver ants are known for their unique nests, which they build by weaving together leaves using silk produced by their larvae. They can be found in tropical Asia, Africa, and Australia. Visit rainforests and search for their distinctive nests high in trees. Tip: Use binoculars to observe their fascinating nest construction behavior from a safe distance.
3. Honeypot ants (Myrmecocystus spp.): These ants are native to the arid regions of North America and Australia. They are known for their unique method of food storage, where specialized worker ants called “repletes” store large amounts of food in their abdomens. To observe honeypot ants, visit deserts and dry scrublands, and look for their small, crater-like nest entrances. Tip: Go with an expert or a local guide who can help you locate their nests and safely observe these fascinating ants.
4. Army ants (Eciton spp.): These nomadic ants are found in Central and South America, and they are known for their massive, organized raids to capture prey. To observe army ants, visit tropical rainforests in countries like Costa Rica, Ecuador, or Peru. Look for their long, winding trails and follow them to witness their impressive hunting behavior. Tip: Keep a safe distance, as army ants can be aggressive and deliver painful bites.
5. Bullet ants (Paraponera clavata): Known for their powerful sting, which is said to be as painful as being shot, bullet ants are native to the rainforests of Central and South America. To observe these ants, visit countries like Costa Rica, Nicaragua, or Brazil, and explore rainforest habitats. Look for their large, distinctive nests at the base of trees. Tip: Be extremely cautious when observing bullet ants, as their sting is very painful. Wear protective clothing and avoid disturbing their nests.