How Much Do Ants Live?
WouterDespite being a small insect, ants are among the most abundant of all insects. There are over 12000 species of ants in the world, making up more than 20 percent of the total biomass of humans.
Most ants live in colonies. Each colony is home to a queen and her offspring. These colonies are highly organized and structured. A colony can have several thousand ants, with each member playing a role in the colony. A queen is responsible for laying eggs and ensuring the survival of the colony.
There are five major types of ants. These are worker ants, females who work in the colony, and drones, warriors, and queens.
The lifespan of an ant depends on the species, the gender, and the caste of the ant. Workers and females typically live a few months, while males live for a few weeks. Some species of ants are able to live for seven to eight years.
Scientists estimate that there are about twenty quadrillion ants on Earth. This is more than the total biomass of all wild birds and mammals combined. These estimates are likely conservative.
Ant colonies can be found on almost every continent, including Antarctica. They have their own unique scent. They may also build mounds in the ground or trees. Their populations are very common, particularly in forests.
The ant colony can have a number of different species living together, with each species contributing to the colony’s food supply. A fire ant colony may contain several hundred different species of ants.
