Ant
Formicidae
Quick answer
Ants are social insects that live in highly organized colonies built around one or more egg-laying queens. There are more than 12,000 known species, and together ants are among the most numerous animals on Earth. They communicate using chemical signals and can carry many times their own body weight.
Ant facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Family Formicidae |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore (varies by species) |
| Habitat | Almost everywhere except the far poles |
| Lifespan | Workers weeks to a year; queens up to 15+ years |
| Size | 1–13 mm depending on species |
| Colony size | Dozens to millions |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae |
Where it lives
Found on every continent except Antarctica, in habitats from deserts and forests to cities.
Life in the colony
Ants live in cooperative colonies divided into castes. One or more queens lay the eggs, sterile female workers gather food and care for the young, and winged males and new queens leave to start fresh colonies. The whole colony behaves almost like a single organism, with each ant playing a role.
Communication and teamwork
Ants communicate mostly through chemicals called pheromones, laying scent trails that lead nestmates to food. By working together, ants can build elaborate nests, farm fungus, herd aphids for their sugary secretions, and even form living bridges and rafts with their own bodies.
Strength and diet
Relative to their size, ants are remarkably strong and can carry objects many times their own body weight back to the nest. Diets vary widely by species, from seeds and nectar to other insects, with many ants being opportunistic omnivores that take whatever food they find.
Habitat and range
Ants live on every continent except Antarctica, in deserts, forests, grasslands, and cities. Their nests range from small chambers under a stone to vast underground networks, and a few species build large mounds or live inside hollow plants.
Frequently asked questions about the Ant
How strong are ants?
Ants are extremely strong for their size and can carry objects many times their own body weight. This strength comes from their light bodies and the efficient way their muscles work at a small scale.
How do ants communicate?
Ants communicate mainly with chemicals called pheromones. They lay scent trails to guide nestmates to food and use chemical signals to recognize colony members and raise alarms.
How long do ants live?
Worker ants usually live from a few weeks to about a year, while queens can survive for many years, sometimes more than 15, laying eggs for the whole colony.
What do ants eat?
Ants are mostly omnivores. Depending on the species they eat seeds, nectar, other insects, and sweet liquids, and many will take almost any food scraps they come across.
Do ants have a queen?
Yes. Most ant colonies have one or more queens whose job is to lay eggs. The sterile female workers do the foraging, building, and caring for the young.
How many ants are there in the world?
Ants are among the most numerous animals on Earth, numbering in the many trillions. There are more than 12,000 described species, found almost everywhere except the polar regions.
