How High Will Ants Climb?
WouterUsing a camera, researchers set up a time-lapse video to record ants building an ant tower. The tower was not particularly tall, but it did appear to sink.
The tower was designed with a wider cross-section at the base, which allowed for better weight distribution. As the tower sank, the ants slowly started to slide down the column.
There are a number of species of ants that climb vertical surfaces. These include ants that live on trees, and others that live on the ground. Some species, such as white-footed ants, have been found to be a nuisance in the United States.
These ants, which are also known as sugar ants, are known to forage for sweet honeydew from aphids. They are often found in and around kitchens and bathrooms, where they can easily enter the home through holes in the baseboards or base of the door.
In some countries, the white-footed ant is a major honeydew producer. This species often nests in damp areas, such as around ponds or decaying tree branches. It can also nest in soil.
This species also has an impressive feat, the ability to lift 50 times its own weight. The weight is distributed evenly among the ants.
Another impressive feat is the ability of the ant to forage for protein-rich food. The ants use dense arrays of fine hairs on the ventral side of their third and fourth tars. This enables them to slurp up larger chunks of food than other ant species.
