Ants are small, skinny insects with a large head, a slender abdomen, and a larger thorax. They can be distinguished from other insects by their bent antennae and the waist between abdomen and thorax. They vary in size from .08-1 in long. Most are brown, but some are black, yellow, or red.
Ants can be found worldwide but are most common in hot climates. In cooler climates, ants aren't active during the winter. There are 1,000 ant species in North America. Some eat sugary liquids (for example, the "honeydew" produced by Aphids), while others eat seeds, insects, or dead meat.
Ants play an important role in transporting seeds to other locations. The seeds of some plants such as Early Blue Violet have evolved to include small oil-rich appendages. The ants carry the seeds to their nest and eat the appendage but leave the seed itself intact and able to germinate.
Ants are very social, usually living in structured nest communities with a queen, worker ants, and males for reproduction. They release chemical signals to warn each other of danger, share food locations, and work together.
Did you know? Ants can lift and carry more than 3 times their own weight. They have two sets of jaws: an outer set for digging and carrying and an inner set for chewing.
