Ants
What do you already know about ants?
Ants are a type of insect. There are thousands of different species and they can be found all over the world, apart from Antarctica.
Their bodies have three parts, a head, a thorax which is the middle part, and an abdomen at the end of its body. They have an exoskeleton on the outside of their bodies, which is a hard coating to protect them. This is because they are invertebrates and don’t have a skeleton. Ants have six legs, which are attached to the thorax. They have antennae on their head which they use feeling and smelling the world around them.
Ants vary in size and colour depending on what species it is. The biggest species can grow up to 5 centimetres but most are much smaller!
There are male and female ants but there are also queen ants as well. Queen ants are very important to the other ants. Queen ants and male ants have wings, but female ants don’t.
Can you see the three body parts of the ant? How many legs can you count? Can you see where they are attached to the ants body?
Ants like many insects go through metamorphosis, going through four stages in their life cycle.
Ant larvae hatch out of an egg as tiny worm like grubs. At this stage they don’t even have eyes. They grow bigger and shed their exoskeleton more than once. During this time they don’t move very much and stay in their nest. Worker ants feed and look after them.
When it is time to transform some species spin a silk cocoon around themselves, while other species don’t. During this transformation they develop their three body parts, six legs and even their eyes. Some ants also develop wings too.
Ants live in massive groups called colonies. They can also be called a swarm or an army. These groups are made up of hundreds or even thousands of other ants. Most of these colonies live in nests underground or in mounds on the surface. Inside their nests are lots of tunnels which connect open spaces underground.
In a colony there are queen ants, female and male ants. The queen ant lays eggs and the colony wouldn’t be able to survive without her. The other female ants are also called worker ants. This is because they do all the work! They go off to find food and carry it back, they build their nests and protect the queen’s eggs and look after the young ants when they are born. Males ants are called drone ants.
Queen ants live longer than any other insect, some living between ten and even thirty years! Female workers live up to about three years and male ants only live for a couple of weeks!
Most of the ants you see will be female worker ants, they are the ones who go out and collect food. Ants are very strong for their size, which makes them good at carrying food back to the colony. Ants are omnivores which means they eat both plants and other creatures.
Did you know...
Have you ever heard of Flying Ant Day? Well, its not got the best name because its not actually a day! Every summer, in July or August, for a few days or even weeks there will suddenly be lots of flying ants around. These are male ants and young female queen ants.
During this time they are flying about to mate and for the queen ants to set up new colonies. The male ants die very quickly after.
What we've learnt...
Ants are insects. They are invertebrates with three parts to their body and have six legs.
Ants, like many insects go through metamorphosis, changing from tiny little grubs.
Ants live in colonies, with a queen ant in charge. Without the queen ant the colony can’t survive.
Most ants you see are female worker ants. They leave the nests to find food. Ants are omnivores.
Queen ants and male drone ants have wings. Female worker ants don’t.
Test your knowledge...
Ants Quiz
If you click the correct answer the box will turn green. If its the wrong answer it will turn red and then show you what the correct answer was. Make sure you read/listen to the questions carefully!
#1. Do ants go through metamorphosis?
#2. Which type of ant is in charge of the colony?
#3. What is a group of ants called?
Select all that apply:
#4. Are ants…
#5. Which ants don’t have wings?
Results
I really hope you have enjoyed learning all about ants, with me Flash!
Question Time...
How are queen ants chosen? Is there a vote or something?
by Alfie
I love this question! Which ants become queen ants is decided when they are just an egg or larva.
In many ant species, any female larva could actually become a queen. Worker ants choose one ant at random to feed a protein rich diet, which then turns them into a queen.
In some ant species, the original queen lays specific eggs destined to be workers, and others destined to be a queens.
Any other questions?
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