Check out our ten favourite facts about ants that are guaranteed to blow your mind…

1. There are over 12,000 ant species worldwide

Ranging from the ant you might find scuttling across your picnic to the ants building underground fortresses in the rainforest, to flying ants!

2. The bullet ant is said to have the most painful sting in the world!

Living in humid jungle conditions such as the Amazon, their sting has been compared to being hit by a bullet – ouch!

You'll love our educational magazines for kids of all ages! is written on the post, which also shows a copy of National Geographic Kids special Rainforest issue and a green rainforest frog

3. Fire ants cause over £3 billion worth of damage a year!

North America’s red imported fire ant might only be little, but the tiny critters have a painful bite which causes a burning sensation – hence the name “fire ant”, which costs the US millions in veterinary and medical bills every year! They’ve also been known to cause damage to farmer’s crops.

4. Ants are the longest living insects

Unlike some bugs who might only live for days or even hours, the queen ant of one particular species – the Pogonomyrmex Owyheei – can live up to 30 years – so be careful not to stand on her!

5. The ant is one of the world’s strongest creatures in relation to its size

A single ant can carry 50 times its own bodyweight, and they’ll even work together to move bigger objects as a group!

Facts about ants
Ants carry leaves and twigs back to their nests!

6. Ants hold the record for the fastest movement in the animal kingdom

The aptly named species of trap jaw ant, can close its jaws at 140mph, which it uses to kill its prey or injure predators. Image if that bit you on the bum!

7. Ants can be found on every single continent except Antarctica

Ironic really, when you consider the name…

8. Ants are social insects which live in colonies

The colony, also called a formicary, is made up of one or more egg-laying queens and a large amount of female “worker” ants who tend to her, build and maintain the nest, forage for food and and care for the young.

Male ants have wings and their only function is to mate with the queen.

9. Ants don’t have ears, and some of them don’t have eyes!

Ants “listen” by feeling vibrations from the ground through their feet, and eye-less ants such as the driver ant species can communicate by using their antennae!

Plus, they can send chemical signals (called pheremones) released through their body to send messages to other ants! They send out warnings when danger’s near, leave trails of pheremones leading to food sources and even use them to attract a mate – a sort of ant love potion!

10. The largest ant’s nest ever found was over 3,700 miles wide!

Found in Argentina in 2000, the ginormous colony housed 33 ant populations which had merged into one giant supercolony, with millions of nests and billions of workers!

What was your favourite of these facts about ants? Let us know in the comments below!

Images ⓒ Getty Images: Ants on leaf (483596365), Ant carrying leaf (157168347).
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COMMENTS

  • Jackson

    That was cool information and facts !

  • liam sommers

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  • Grace

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    I didn't know ants were so strong :)

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    Thank you for the facts

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    My only friends are ants.

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    Superb

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    Ants are cool

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    Ants are smart

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    nice

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    GOOD INFO

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  • Juli Saiki

    I surprise that ants don't have ears, and I surprise that some ants don't have eyes.

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  • what do ants eat

  • Dzenan Grgic

    put more of your ant facts because in school im having a test and u guys rock please make more you guys rock!!!!

  • Cameron

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    ilove ants

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    I hate ants

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    A bullet ant bit me once

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    I hate ants

  • Tharunika

    very useful

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  • jonny

    i love bullet ants

  • fahad

    I like ANTS facts because I didn't know before about ants.I am so shocked that how the ants are clever,and how they work together.I learning about Africa animals because teacher give me home work.and i left My two page ok thanks a lot.

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    ACE!

  • COOLKID 555

    Ants scare me (hiding)

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    I love ants

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    cool facts love the ant man facts

  • Vortex217

    cool facts and interesting page but could you include: a quiz more facts about different things like red ants

  • Perigrine101846

    The ant facts are awesome

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