In many ways, ants can outwit, outlast, and outplay humans. Their complex, cooperative societies enable them to survive and thrive in conditions that would challenge the individual.
Here are 10 fascinating facts about ants that just might convince you they’re superior to us.
1. Ants are social insects which form colonies that range in size from a few dozen predatory individuals living in small natural cavities to highly organised colonies which may occupy large territories and consist of millions of individuals
2. Ants are capable of carrying objects 50 times their own body weight with their mandibles.
3. Soldier ants use their heads to plug the entrances to their nests and keep intruders from gaining access.
4. Ants communicate and cooperate by using chemicals (pheromones) that can alert others to danger or lead them to a promising food source.
5. Male ants often have only one role—mating with the queen. After they have performed this function, they may die.
6. Some ants form “supercolonies,” massive communities of ants that can stretch for thousands of The largest ant colony ever found was over 6000 Km or 3750 miles wide.
7. All the ants on the planet weigh more than all the humans.
8. Army ants may prey on much larger animals such as reptiles, birds, or even small mammals.
9. The ant is one of the world’s strongest creature in relation to its size.
10. Ants are the longest living of all insects, living for up to 30 years.