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Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant

crematogaster pilosa

The Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant is a tiny ant known for its unique fluffy head and agile movements. These little acrobats can often be found climbing trees and navigating their way through the forest with ease!

Habitat: Forests and wooded areas where they build nests in trees.

Appearance

The Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant is a small, dark reddish-brown to black ant, easily recognized by its distinctly heart-shaped abdomen. Its head and thorax are noticeably covered with dense, often golden-brown hairs, making it appear fuzzy compared to smoother ant species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyFormicidaeGenusCrematogaster
Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant
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Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

1

Interesting facts

A single queen ant can start a whole colony of thousands of workers all by herself!

If threatened, these ants release an invisible alarm chemical to call for help!

Some Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ants 'farm' tiny insects for their sweet honeydew!

Their heart-shaped bottom lets them lift it over their head like a tiny acrobat!

Special abilities

Ability

The Acrobatic Climber

Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant can skillfully navigate tight spaces because of its heart-shaped abdomen that can be lifted over its head.

Ability

Stingless Stinker

Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant has a special gland that helps them spray noxious chemicals to deter predators without stinging them.

Ability

Woody Home Builder

Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant can hollow out tunnels in dead wood that helps them create secure and sheltered nests.

Measurements & details

Size
2-4 mm
Lifespan
60-90 days
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
10000

Diet & Feeding

These ants enjoy a varied diet, feasting on sweet honeydew and scavenging for small insects.

Primary Foods

  • honeydew
  • dead insects
  • nectar
  • sweet plant secretions
  • bird droppings

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

symbiotic with

cotton aphid

Aphis gossypii

Farms for sweet honeydew.

eaten by

bold jumper

Phidippus audax

Spiders often prey on ants.

eaten by

white-breasted nuthatch

Sitta carolinensis

Birds forage ants from bark.

parasitizes

zombie-ant fungus

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis

Fungus can control ant behavior.

Traits

Also known as

Acrobat AntFluffy AntTree Ant

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant?

The easiest way to identify Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How big is Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant?

2-4 mm

How long does Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant live?

60-90 days

What does Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant eat?

These ants enjoy a varied diet, feasting on sweet honeydew and scavenging for small insects.

Where is Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant usually found?

Forests and wooded areas where they build nests in trees.

How does Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant have?

6

How large are Hairy-Headed Acrobat Ant colonies?

10000

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