How Can Ants Survive Fall Damage?
WouterDespite their small size, ants are able to withstand high falls. They can survive drops of over 20 meters. This is because ants are light and have a durable exoskeleton. The exoskeleton is a multi-layered chitin-like structure that braces the ant for impact.
Unlike humans and mice, ants don’t take damage from falls. Their exoskeleton is also deformable to prevent injury. The head can take some blows that could kill a vertebrate, but the ant won’t die from falling.
The ant’s ability to dissipate kinetic energy to slow down its fall is one of its greatest achievements. Its exoskeleton also braces the ant against predators. This, in addition to its small size, allows it to climb virtually any surface.
The biggest advantage ants have over humans is their small size. While humans can weigh as much as 180 pounds, ants can weigh only about one tenth of that. This means that ants can absorb half the kinetic energy that humans dissipate.
Aside from being light, ants can also survive falls of up to 100 feet without sustaining any damage. In addition, their exoskeletons are built to withstand high-velocity impact. This means that they can climb even if they are dropped from a great height.
The ant’s exoskeleton is also able to keep its body cool. The ant’s outer shell is made of chitin, a tough substance that resembles keratin. The ant also has a strong nervous system distributed throughout its body.
