How Can Ants Walk on Tape?
WouterBesides being interesting creatures, ants can climb and walk on all kinds of surfaces. Their six feet, three on the ground and three in the air, allow them to climb vertically, walk horizontally, and walk upside down.
Their feet are covered with sticky pads and claws, which give them traction. Ants also have a pad called the arolia, located between their claws on the tips of their legs. This pad serves as a sort of suction vacuum.
There are also ants that have hairs that help them climb. These hairs generate a high friction force in the pulling direction. But, on smooth surfaces, the ants hairs reverse the effect.
Ants are able to climb walls, wood, metal, and even glass. But, there are some surfaces that are too slippery for ants to walk on. They can’t climb surfaces that are too cold or too hot.
Some ants have special feet that allow them to climb glass. These feet have five jointed segments, each of which has a claw. The claws are attached to the pads by a small inflatable pad. They are similar to the claws on human hands.
When an ant walks up a wall, its leg muscles pump fluid into the pads. This helps it keep from falling. In the process, the claws swing wide. This helps ants to climb up walls, but it also helps them to defy gravity.
They can also use fishing line to reach their food source. When they reach it, they pull it towards their body and attach themselves to it. Then they can move from one plant to another without getting hurt.
