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Paraponera clavata

Paraponera clavata

The bullet ant is a large, black ant known for its painful sting. It lives in tropical rainforests and is famous for its strong bite and teamwork when building nests.

Habitat: Tropical rainforests

Appearance

The Paraponera clavata is a large, robust ant, typically reddish-brown to blackish-brown. It has powerful, serrated mandibles and a segmented body with a distinctly ridged thorax, making it look quite formidable compared to smaller ant species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyFormicidaeGenusParaponera
Paraponera clavata
social trait badgeomnivorous trait badgerainforest trait badgediurnal trait badge
Paraponera clavata

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

5/5 · Extreme

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Bullet ants can make a distinct squeaking sound by rubbing parts of their body together!

Indigenous Amazonian boys undergo initiation rites by wearing gloves filled with these ants!

Its sting is rated as the most painful insect sting on the Schmidt Pain Index!

These ants build complex nests inside tree trunks and even underground chambers!

Special abilities

Ability

Neurotoxic Sting

Paraponera clavata has a potent sting that delivers poneratoxin, helping them defend their colony and paralyze prey effectively.

Ability

Mighty Mandibles

Paraponera clavata can use its strong, serrated mandibles to cut through tough leaves and carry heavy items back to the nest.

Ability

Chemical Communicator

Paraponera clavata can communicate with colony members using chemical pheromones, helping them coordinate hunts and warn of danger.

Measurements & details

Size
20-30 mm
Lifespan
60-1825 days
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
500-1500

Diet & Feeding

These ants are omnivores, mainly feasting on insects and sweet nectar from plants!

Primary Foods

  • Other insects
  • Arthropods
  • Nectar
  • Small fruits

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Ice Cream Bean

Inga edulis

Feeds on nectar from this tree's extrafloral nectaries.

eaten by

Giant Anteater

Myrmecophaga tridactyla

Occasionally hunted by giant anteaters in its forest habitat.

hunts

Brazilian stingless bee

Scaptotrigona postica

Preys on various smaller insects, including stingless bees, for protein.

Traits

Also known as

Bullet Ant

Collections

Safety

Danger

5/5 · Extreme

Be careful around ants, especially big ones like the bullet ant, as they can sting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Paraponera clavata?

20-30 mm

How long does Paraponera clavata live?

60-1825 days

What does Paraponera clavata eat?

These ants are omnivores, mainly feasting on insects and sweet nectar from plants!

Where is Paraponera clavata usually found?

Tropical rainforests

How does Paraponera clavata hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Paraponera clavata have?

6

How large are Paraponera clavata colonies?

500-1500

Snap Map

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