How Much Does a Million Ants Weigh?
WouterUntil now, scientists have never been able to accurately answer the question, “How much does a million ants weigh?” However, researchers from the University of Hong Kong have calculated the mass of ants on earth.
The total mass of ants is approximately 12 megatons. This number is derived from a study that analyzed 489 previous studies on ant populations around the world.
The total weight of all ants on earth is higher than the total weight of all wild mammals and birds combined. In other words, the ant is the heaviest animal on Earth.
The ant’s impressive abilities include the ability to lift objects up to 5000 times its own weight. It can also churn soil to speed the decomposition of plant matter.
Ants are small creatures, but their abilities are incredible. In fact, they have evolved to be far more adept at lifting objects than humans.
The true mass of ants on Earth may be greater than 12 megatons. But that is not a definitive answer. Some naturalists worry about an insect apocalypse. They point to ants’ ability to carry heavy objects, speed decomposition, and their tendency to form colonies of hundreds of millions of workers.
The ant’s small body size means it can carry heavier objects than humans. It also means it can withstand pressures up to 5,000 times its weight. This makes it a very versatile little beast.
There are actually 13,000 species of ants in the world. The largest species is the African wandering ant. This species weighs 0.372 grams per individual.
