Why Do Ants Need Air?
WouterUnlike mammals, ants do not need a complex respiratory system to keep them alive. Instead, they have a system of tubes and spiracles for absorbing oxygen and exchanging carbon dioxide.
Tracheae are small tubes that carry air from the ant’s spiracles to its cells. The tubes also carry carbon dioxide out of the ant’s body. The tracheae are connected to the ant’s internal body by a membrane. This helps eliminate the need for blood circulation.
Some ants also have a system of flyways on the underside of their bodies. Flyways are small openings that are surrounded by fuzzy material. The flyways move at different speeds, allowing air to diffuse in and out of the ant. These movements allow ants to walk and eat without suffocating.
Ants also have spiracles on the lower abdomen that prevent suffocation. The spiracles are connected to tubes that carry oxygen to the cells in the ant’s body. When the oxygen level in the ant’s body drops below a certain threshold, the spiracles will open and allow oxygen to enter the respiratory system.
When ants are resting, they will close the valves in their air passages. This helps prevent the oxygen from entering the respiratory system. This system is similar to that used by humans. In addition, ants also store oxygen in their bodies. The stored oxygen is absorbed gradually. This allows ants to survive for a day or more under water.
Some ants can survive under water for up to 14 days. However, this is dependent on the species. The temperature of the water is also important. When the water is cold, ants have a longer survival time.
