Monday, June 03, 2013
Why do ants like expansion joints?
Noticed something recently on morning walks. Anthills cluster in sidewalk expansion joints, and also along the edge of the cement. Sometimes there will be 6 holes in a three-foot joint. Neighboring areas of bare dirt, no matter how large, have exactly zero nests.
Why do they like the joints and edges? I can speculate: When your nest is mainly under a rock or under cement, you're cool and dry, and you're protected from birds and competing ants. You can relax your guard everywhere except the one hole. Close the hole and you're safe.
But those would be human reasons. Does the ant 'colony mind' think the same way?
Why do they like the joints and edges? I can speculate: When your nest is mainly under a rock or under cement, you're cool and dry, and you're protected from birds and competing ants. You can relax your guard everywhere except the one hole. Close the hole and you're safe.
But those would be human reasons. Does the ant 'colony mind' think the same way?
Labels: Heimatkunde
¶ 8:46 AM
