How Old Can Ants Live?
WouterDepending on the species, ants can live from a few months to almost three decades. The lifespan of an ant depends on its species, caste, living conditions and the role the ant plays.
Ants are small, worm-like creatures with a pair of antennae on their heads. They live in colonies. The queen ant is in charge of maintaining the health of the colony. When the colony is stable, the queen ant releases new queens to spread the ant population.
The queen ant has a lifespan of around thirty years. However, the lifespan of male ants is usually just a few weeks. This is because they are used for reproduction purposes only. They are unable to breed with the queen. The worker ants, on the other hand, are multi-tasking and are responsible for caring for the young ants.
The lifespan of the worker ants is usually between five and eight years. When the time is up, they die. Their death is also more likely if they leave the colony to find food. Alternatively, they can be crushed by larger creatures. They also suffer from exposure to dangerous elements outside the colony. They can be poisoned by pesticides.
Ants can live in colonies for years. Some species, such as the black garden ant, can live for up to fifteen years. Other ants can live for a few months or a year.
During the larval stage, ants eat a large amount of food. As they grow, they shed skin and darken. They also breathe through small holes in their bodies.
