Do Ants Hold Grudges?
WouterWhether ants hold grudges is a tough question to answer. But let’s take a look at a few facts.
Ants have been around for 70 million years. In fact, one species is exclusively female. A single queen can have millions of offspring.
Ants are very social creatures. Their body structures are designed to maximize their chances of survival. They also use sophisticated horticultural techniques to grow crops. These insects have an impressive amount of intelligence.
The genetic system of ants is similar to that of bees and wasps. This may explain the altruism of some ants. They are able to protect aphids from predators and produce chemicals from their jaws to calm aphids.
Unlike humans, ants have two stomachs. Their second stomach holds food for sharing. Ants also have a pheromone system that allows them to detect other ants’ presence. If a colony senses danger, worker ants will run away.
Some researchers believe that the ants are able to sense fear. They may be able to sense the presence of a fungus that can infect ants and cause them to flee. Alternatively, some ants may recognize their colony mates and flee in droves.
It is also possible for a single ant to revolt against the queen. These ants are usually killed. However, some ants can be reintroduced to the colony.
It is also possible for an ant to be able to recognize a pheromone that can cause them to revert to their old habits. These ants are called slave making ants. These ants focus their energy on raising kin instead of laying their own eggs.
