Hobbies And Interests
Trapjaw Ants
Trapjaw ants are members of the Odontomachus and Anochetus genuses and have unusual mandibles that can open to a wide angle. When any object brushes against the sensitive mandible-hairs of these ants, the jaws snap shut automatically, trapping, crushing or skewering potential pray. This happens incredibly quickly and, according to the Tree of Life, is the fastest motion by any animal. Trapjaw ants are native to tropical rain forests around the world.
Mycocepurus Smithii
This ant species is native to Central Mexico south to northwestern Argentina, and can live in a range of environments, including the rain forest. Mycocepurus smithii is unusual in that the species produces no males and reproduces by cloning. These ants are also known for their tendency to farm fungus inside their underground colonies. They fertilize the fungus with dead insects and vegetables, instead of hunting like many other ant species.
Leafcutter Ants
These ants are members of the Acromyrmex and Atta genuses and, like Mycocepurus smithii, grow fungus inside their colonies. All leafcutter species live in South and Central America as well as some parts of southern North America. They require habitats with large amounts of vegetation, such as the rain forest. Leafcutter ants use their jaws to cut pieces of leaves and other vegetation from plants, then transport this material into the colony to feed the fungus. Adult ants feed off leaf sap, reserving the fungus to feed larval ants. This type of fungus cannot grow without the help of the leafcutters.
Ectatomma Ruidim
Ectatomma ruidum is an unusually peaceful species of rain forest ant with a range from Mexico to northern South America. These ants do not kill other members of their species that try to attack their nests. Instead, they wrestle interlopers and move them to a different location. This process ironically transfers familiar chemicals to the intruding ants, allowing them to later enter the colony to steal food. These "thieving ants" also follow the scent trails of foraging ants from other colonies, then steal from the foragers once they have found food.