Ants are found almost everywhere and there are various species of them. They have some outstanding features which are described below:-
ANTS ARE SOCIAL INSECTS
Ants divide various jobs between them in various colonies established by them. The queen only lays eggs. Other female have to do multiple jobs like the search of supplies, food and defend their nest. Interestingly Male have only single job to mate with the queen.
THEY DON’T HAVE EARS
Ants cannot listen through auditory canals and are able to feel the vibration on the ground. They have special sensors on their knees and feet which interpret signals from nearby.
ANTS HAVE HUGE COLONIES
Their colonies are found in different sizes and shapes. Very few species have smaller colonies, whereas the average strength of their colonies consists of thousands of individuals. Smaller colonies reside in natural crevices but larger colonies are found in nests. Super colonies can have about 300 Million population.
ANTS’ ABILITY TO LIFT WEIGHT
Ants are small in size with thicker muscles as compare to their body. They have the ability to lift weight up to 10 times of their weight. If a man has the same ability than 200 pounds would lift a small car above his shoulders.
SOME OF THEM ARE HOMELESS
Interestingly they do not build nests. 200 species are known as army ants live in two phases of life which are nomad and stationery. In the first phase, they travel the whole day while attacking other colonies and various insects they found for food. While in the evening they build temporary nests and start moving in the subsequent morning.
At stationary phase, the queen lays eggs while the rest of them waits for the hatch. Worker ants make a nest through their bodies to protect the queen, eggs, and food.
ANTS HABITAT IN A ALMOST ALL OVER EARTH
They establish their colonies on all continents except Antarctica. The Island of Greenland does not have any specific species but they reach there through human travels.
ANT’S ABILITY TO SWIM
Some species of them can even swim. Their doggy paddle helps them to float for longer periods. Interestingly they can hold their breath underwater for an extended time.
THEY DON’T HAVE LUNGS
They are found in small size and do not have a complex respiratory system; rather they have their own methods of respiration to deliver oxygen around their bodies.
THEY HAVE TWO STOMACHS
They have two stomachs, one of them hold food for consumption while other will hold food for sharing with other individuals. This exciting fact is known as Trophallaxis and helps a colony to work in a more efficient way.
THE LARGEST KNOW ANT SPECIES
The largest fossils of them were found with a size of about 2.4 inches. It is called Giganteum. While the average size of commonly found are between 0.08 to 1 inch.
ANTS HAVE COMPOUND EYES
Their eyes consist of tiny lenses which are ideal for sharp movement detection but not able to result in a high-resolution image.
VARIETY OF MOVEMENT METHODS
Ants are able to move through gliding, jumping or rafting. Some of them can form living chains to bridge vegetation or water.
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