How Can Ants Drink Tap Water?
WouterDuring hot weather, ants are attracted to moisture. They follow the trail of water and drink the liquid.
The size of the ant and the head also play an important role in the amount of water that they drink. A mid-sized ant Camponotus mus drinks approximately 1/5th of a drop of water in a single sitting. A larger ant will drink more water than this.
The ants drink water from various sources including small puddles, dripping water and raindrops. During hot weather, ants will drink more water than they normally would. This is because they are more active. They are also more attracted to sweet substances like sugar.
Some ants, like the Diacamma ant, arrange feathers around their nests to collect dew. Others, like the Harvester ant, carry sand into the liquid food.
There are over 12,000 species of ants. They range in size from tiny to large. Each species drinks water differently. The largest ants drink approximately one drop of water in a single sitting. The smallest ants drink approximately 1/1000 of a drop.
Various ant species drink water based on the size of the ant, its head size and its time to drink. The most water an ant can drink is 35 microlitres.
The ants use a mouthpart called the labium to drink water. This is a tongue-like appendage covered in tiny hairs that absorb water. The labium is also divided into the hypopharynx and glossa.
The ant may also carry coliform bacteria into water systems. These bacteria are commonly found in septic systems.
