How Strong Are Ants?
WouterUnlike humans, ants are small creatures. They are also very light. These tiny creatures have amazing muscles and strength.
One thing that ants have is the ability to lift heavy things. They can lift objects ten times their own weight or even thousands of times their own weight. They are also able to lift objects that weigh several thousand pounds. Several ant species have the ability to bore through solid surfaces.
In a study, researchers anesthetized common field ants and then measured the amount of force they could exert. They found that the heads of the anesthetized ants could be separated from the bodies at the neck joint. The researchers estimated that ants could lift objects up to 1,000 times their own weight.
In fact, ants are much stronger than humans. The most common species of ants are able to lift objects hundreds of times their own weight.
The size of ants’ necks are what allows them to lift heavy objects. Ants have neck muscles that are stronger than human neck muscles. The horned dung beetle, which is the strongest insect, can lift objects up to 1,141 times its own weight.
Other types of ants are also strong. The Asian weaver ant can carry 500mg, or approximately 100 times its own weight. Other types of ants have fast jaws for digging. Some ants even have a special ability to carry dead baby birds.
The most important thing to remember is that ants aren’t the strongest insect on earth. Several large animals, including elephants, are stronger than ants.
