How Many Ants in a Pound of Ants?
WouterDespite their diminutive size, ants have some of the strongest muscles in the animal kingdom. Using these muscles, ants can carry objects more than a thousand times their own weight.
According to the ant experts, there are approximately 13,000 species of ants on Earth. Each species has a unique set of characteristics, but they all share some basic traits. These include a long, narrow body, six legs, a stinger, and a unique set of muscles.
There are a few more ant species that have yet to be discovered in the tropics. Some of these ants weigh 400mg and carry a heavy load.
According to scientists, the average ant weighs around 60mg, and the pound of ants reference is a 1.5 million average size critters. To put this into perspective, a single pound is roughly 2.5L.
The same ants can carry a hefty load, and their muscles have a larger cross-sectional area than those of bigger animals. So, it is no surprise that they have a plethora of impressive feats.
The ant is also one of the longest living animals on Earth. Several species live for as long as 30 years. Other insects only live a couple days or less.
The largest ant species weigh up to 150 milligrams, and are capable of lifting items more than 50 times their own weight.
For instance, a 2 gram paper clip requires a few hundred ants to pick up. The ant’s strongest muscle is the neck, which helps to support the head forward and is used to lift objects up to 30 times its own weight.
