How Cold Can Ants Survive?
WouterDuring the winter, many species of ants will huddle underground to survive the cold. Some species will even go so far as to create large mounds of dirt above their nest to keep warm.
During winter, ants will store food in their bodies as glycogen. This glycogen helps ants maintain their energy levels. They can also store food in the extra layer of fat below their skin to help keep them warm.
Some ants will move to warmer locations as the weather gets colder. Some ants even split up into smaller colonies with their own queens. This strategy improves the overall survival of the colony.
In the warm season, ants eat sweet foods. In the winter, ants will eat less sweet foods and rely on a variety of food sources to stay warm. They will also use southern exposure rock surfaces to warm themselves up.
As the weather gets colder, ants have developed interesting ways to survive the cold. One is to build a nest in a warmer location. They will also try to stay as still as possible to prevent injury.
Ants may also use an antifreeze-like substance to help them survive the cold. Some spiders have even developed a similar method to help them survive the cold months. The silvery hairs of the ant Cataglyphis bombycinus have a triangular cross-section, reflecting substantial parts of the solar spectrum.
The best way to keep ants warm during the cold season is to provide them with a warm place to live. Ant colonies provide warmth naturally by blocking cold air from passing through them. They also can keep warm by clustering around their queen. This micro-environment is made even more efficient by the use of glycerol, a substance found in many ant species. Glycerol helps ants prevent ice crystal formation and reduces the risk of death.
