Do Ants Really Store Food For Winter?
Using the power of the environment, ants have developed several strategies to survive winter. For example, ants are able to produce antifreeze. They also build tunnels underground that can hold their body heat. They also build shelters to escape cold weather.
Some ants even produce a chemical to preserve their internal organs. They have also developed the capability to store food in their stomachs for winter. They may even try to infiltrate businesses to survive the winter.
These ants have been spotted in Canada as far north as the Mackenzie River. The Richard Islands, far off the coast of Alaska, are also home to some ant species. These ants have a special stomach area known as the crop. It is where they store food and liquids that they can pass to other ants.
Aside from the crop, ants also have a special stomach area known as the social stomach. It is where they share food with their nestmates. They may also pass pheromones to mark their trails.
They also produce a chemical similar to propylene glycol, which humans use in their engines. This chemical helps ants store energy in their bodies and keep warm.
During autumn, ants increase their intake of carbohydrates and fats. They also increase their intake of protein. The ants also develop special tunnels underground that can hold their body heat.
Unlike other insects, ants are able to survive winter. However, they still need warmth to stay alive. Some ants store food for winter in their stomachs and even use fat to keep warm. Some ants even build shelters to escape the cold.