How Long Does an Ant Survive on Its Own?

During winter, ants come together for warmth and seek shelter. Several species of ants are able to hibernate. Others burrow deeper into the earth. Some species create barely visible anthills on the surface. Other species have large underground networks of connected tunnels.

The average life span of an ant is one year. The length of time depends on the type of ant and the climate in which it lives. In some places, ants can live for many years.

Some ants live for up to seven or eight years. Others only live for a few weeks. Ants are social insects that live in colonies. They have scouts and workers. They break up food and clean up debris. They also store food in a crop so that other ants in the colony can share it.

Ants can be aggressive and dangerous. They can threaten pets and children. They can also be poisonous. They are also known for their stinging ability. Their venom can be fatal. They also have abnormally large eyes.

In one study, scientists put ants in a box with a bar code on their backs. They found that some were hyperactive. Others were solitary. On the first day alone, the solitary ants walked twice as far as the group-living ants. They also walked continuously without rest.

These ants were not found to process food as well as the group nest mates. The study also found that they were more active after social isolation.