ExploreInsects

Ant

Formica rufa

Ants are tiny insects that live in large groups called colonies. They work together to find food and build intricate tunnels underground. Ants come in many colors and sizes, and they are very strong for their size.

Habitat: Forests, Grasslands, Urban areas

Appearance

The Ant is a reddish-brown insect, often with a darker abdomen. It has a segmented body, six jointed legs, and prominent antennae for sensing. Unlike some other insects, worker ants do not possess wings, making their smooth, industrious movement distinctive.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyFormicidaeGenusFormica
Ant
social trait badgeomnivorous trait badgeburrowing trait badgegrassland trait badge
Ant

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Ants don't have ears; they feel ground vibrations with special sensors on their legs.

Queen ants can live for decades, making them one of the longest-living insects!

Some ants 'farm' tiny insects called aphids for their sweet honeydew snack!

When floods hit, some ants can link together to form a living, floating raft!

Special abilities

Ability

Acid Spray Defense

Ant can spray formic acid from its abdomen because of a special gland, that helps them defend their nest and stun prey.

Ability

Super Strength

Ant has incredibly strong muscles that help them carry objects many times their own body weight back to the colony.

Ability

Architects of Mounds

Ant can build huge, dome-shaped nests from plant material and soil that helps protect their colony from weather and predators.

Ability

Chemical Communicators

Ant has the ability to lay scent trails because of pheromone glands, that helps them guide other ants to food sources.

Measurements & details

Size
4-11 mm
Lifespan
365-7300 days
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
400000

Diet & Feeding

Ants are resourceful eaters, enjoying sugary honeydew from aphids and hunting small insects.

Primary Foods

  • Honeydew
  • Caterpillars
  • Spiders
  • Other invertebrates
  • Plant sap

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridis

Specializes in digging up ants.

eaten by

Brown Bear

Ursus arctos

Raids ant nests for food.

symbiotic with

Black Bean Aphid

Aphis fabae

Ants 'farm' aphids for honeydew.

eats

Nun Moth

Lymantria monacha

Ants hunt and eat its caterpillars.

Traits

Also known as

Ants

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Watch ants from a safe distance and avoid touching them to let them do their important work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Ant?

4-11 mm

How long does Ant live?

365-7300 days

What does Ant eat?

Ants are resourceful eaters, enjoying sugary honeydew from aphids and hunting small insects.

Where is Ant usually found?

Forests, Grasslands, Urban areas

How does Ant hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Ant have?

6

How large are Ant colonies?

400000

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Insects