How Can Ants Breathe Underwater?
WouterDespite their tiny size, ants have amazing adaptations for survival in water. Some can even hold their breath underwater for 24 hours! They are also a surprisingly good swimmer.
Unlike mammals, ants do not have a complex respiratory system. They breathe through spiracles, or tiny openings in their abdomen. These openings allow oxygen to enter the body, and carbon dioxide to leave through tubes. Eventually, the ants will run out of oxygen, and they will drown.
Ants are also good swimmers, and some species can actually stay submerged for longer than a day. Some even have air bubbles formed around their bodies. These bubbles, or nebulae, are enough to allow ants to breathe underwater.
Ants also have a suction system that allows them to hold onto surfaces. They can also float on top of the water. However, they can’t swim back to the surface against the weight of the water. If they kick themselves too hard, they can drown.
The ant of the day is the diving ant, which is a great swimmer. It can survive underwater for as long as two weeks. It’s also the only ant species that can actually swim. This may be a recent adaptation to surviving in the face of flooding.
Other species of ants also have aquatic adaptations, including the whirligig beetle and the water scorpion. They have specialized abdominal openings, known as trachea, to allow oxygen to enter the ant’s body. They also have the ability to form an air bubble around their abdomen.
