How Much Does 5000 Ants Weight?
WouterDespite their small size, ants are mighty. Their bodies are strong and they can lift loads thousands of times their own weight. They also have muscles that are much stronger than their human counterparts.
One way to measure ant strength is to put them under a person. Then, using a centrifuge, you can see how much force the ants can exert. The average ant can lift up to 5,000 times its own weight. They are also capable of carrying loads of up to twenty times their own weight.
Another way to measure ant strength is to use nanotechnology to construct structures in a zero-gravity environment. The micro-scale structures may play a role in their ability to lift weight.
One researcher even took the time to create a computer model inspired by ant research. The computer model incorporated micro-CT scans to reconstruct a 3-D model of an ant’s neck joint. These scans revealed the soft-tissue structure of the ant’s neck and revealed a complex structure that is the micro-moment of the ant’s neck.
The best human weight lifter in the world, Hafthor Bjornsson, can lift weights up to 2.5 times his body mass. The world record in weightlifting is 1104 pounds.
However, it isn’t as easy to measure ant strength using mechanical devices. The micro-scale structures that were studied looked like bumps or hairs. The surface of the ant’s neck is adorned with the ant’s omens. Those small bumps on the ant’s neck are important for carrying heavy objects in nature.
