On my first week of observing I
stumbled upon a trail of ants. The small ants marched from one flower to
another. It was surprising to see those ants caring grains of sand on their
backs as if it weighted nothing. Although it is known that ants can carry more
than ten percent their body weight. I know I wouldn’t even try to carry two
hundred pounds.
As I continued to follow the ants
took an unexpected turn. At a break in the sand a dark tunnel shaped perfectly
for a colony, the ants drove beneath my feet. I cannot say how deep the tunnel was
or even where it led but I could image a network of tunnels connecting to
create a large ant farm right underneath. However, how is it possible they can breathe under
there? And based on the website How
It Works Daily, ants breathe through holes in their sides called spiracles
that allow oxygen to trail to the tissues that need it. With this they can
regulate how to breathe underground. Although, this makes me question why they
even live underground? I discovered that the reason they live below ground is to
keep away from predators, helps keep them cool, and it’s easy to keep food down
there where no one will take it. I did not know ants were any special how wrong I was. The yard sure knows how to hold surprises.
