The World War of the Ants: Understanding the Ancient Battles of these Dominant Creatures

💥Ants, with their collaborative nature, have become one of the most successful animal groups on Earth.

🐜Army ants form mobile swarms that hunt and devour vast numbers of insects and small vertebrates.

🌿Leafcutter ants have evolved sophisticated defense systems to protect their colonies from army ant attacks.

🗡️Army ants overwhelm their prey with sheer numbers and coordination, making it difficult for the victim colony to defend itself.

🌏Ant warfare is a universal phenomenon, occurring in tropical rainforests and even in the cracks of urban concrete.

How many species of ants are there?

—There are over 16,000 different species of ants.

What percentage of animal biomass on land do ants make up?

—Ants alone make up 20% of the entire animal biomass on land.

Do ants fight among the same species?

—Yes, even among the same species, ants engage in constant conflict.

What is the primary weapon of army ants?

—The primary weapon of army ants is their overwhelming numbers and coordinated attacks.

Where does ant warfare occur?

—Ant warfare occurs in various habitats, from tropical rainforests to urban environments.

00:00Introduction: Ants are a dominant animal group on Earth, with over 16,000 species and 10,000 trillion individuals.

01:16Ants engage in constant warfare, with even the same species often being in conflict.

01:33One fascinating example is the army ant, which forms mobile swarms and hunts in large columns, devouring thousands of animals per day.

04:05Leafcutter ants have evolved sophisticated defense systems, using soldier ants with big square heads and creating living bunkers to fend off army ant attacks.

05:43Other ant species have evolved specialized strategies, such as panicking and evacuating their nests or creating barricades to block army ants.

06:42Ant warfare occurs not only in natural habitats like rainforests but also in urban environments.

07:16CuriosityStream, a subscription streaming service, offers fascinating documentaries on insects and other nonfiction topics.

08:14Visit curiositystream.com/kurzgesagt for a free trial and explore the world of ants and other captivating subjects.