Ants enslaved by other ant species rebel against their masters by neglecting the work they’re assigned to do, and even killing the master species’ young. The slaves may not be able to save themselves, but by rebelling they can protect nearby relatives from the same fate.
When they are infected with a deadly fungal disease, ants…
When they are infected with a deadly fungal disease, ants medicate themselves by consuming food laced with hydrogen peroxide, which would normally kill them but helps keep them alive if they have the infection.
Scientists attached stilts to the legs of ants to prove that ants…
Scientists attached stilts to the legs of ants to prove that ants return to their nests by counting their steps. The ants with stilts overshot their nest by roughly 50% due to the new length of their steps.
Ants use “social immunization” – if one is infected with a fungus, they still….
Ants use “social immunization” – if one is infected with a fungus, they still lick the ant, spreading it throughout the colony. This practice both kills some of the spores, and builds immune resistance.
Ants cannot be seriously injured from impact with the ground after being…
Ants cannot be seriously injured from impact with the ground after being dropped from any height, because they don’t have enough mass.
Owing to heir isolated location, frigid climate or both, Antarctica…
Owing to heir isolated location, frigid climate or both, Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, some of Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands are believed to have no native ant species.
Ants do not have traffic jams because they don’t have egos…
Ants do not have traffic jams because they don’t have egos, don’t mind collisions, and are very disciplined in crowded pathways