Do Ants Live in Sand?
WouterDespite being attracted to sand, ants are not known to live in it. However, some species are known to excavate a conical pit in the sand. This pit can eventually be 2-4 centimeters deep.
In the past, ants have used sand to build life jackets. When the risk of drowning was high, ants built sand structures to syphon sugar water out of the water.
Another species, the funnel ant, builds large cavities around the entrance of their nest. In addition to building nests, ants also build large, conspicuous mounds of soil around their nests.
Ants are also known to eat other ants and dead bodies. They will collect small pieces of decomposing bodies and carry them to their burrow openings. They also spit out bones and chew dead bodies.
One of the first materials studied by scientists was sand. Researchers discovered that ants are attracted to sand because of its high concentration of pyrite. These particles have a similar texture to ants’ hair.
In the lab, researchers have been able to model ants’ foraging strategies. For instance, they have discovered that ants are capable of moving a mass of soil of 3.4 tonnes per hectare each year.
Ants have also been discovered to have a keen sense of smell. They will pick up chemicals on the ground and lay down pheromones. They also use their antennae to track pheromones and find food.
Ants are considered to be ecological engineers, as they have the ability to manipulate the environment. They can increase carbon concentrations, nitrogen concentrations, and trace elements in the soil. In addition, they help aerate the soil.
