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.
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ReplyDeleteYour blog is very unique. Even though I don't like ants, what you have talked about so far, especially how they breathe, makes me want to learn more about them. I really like the part where you imagined a network of tunnels because it made me imagine that scenario as well. Its very interesting.
ReplyDeleteReading your blog about ants reminded me of the movie "A Bug's Life" because the ants in the movie carry food in their backs and also have a colony filled with ants underground just like you mentioned. What really captured my attention was how ants are able to breath underground. I myself never gave it much thought. Overall your blog was really engaging.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very nice because of it I now know why they keep their food underground and how they breath underground.
ReplyDeleteYour questioning is really good & makes me ask the same things. Ants are gross man but they seem interesting when your blog brings more ideas & questioning to my mind .
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if you've heard of the person doing Antlions, but they eat ants and I wonder if there are any over there. Have you ever considered like getting a few and making like an ant farm type thing? That probably defeats the purpose of observing nature but maybe once you're done with the project, you could.
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ReplyDeleteI find ants scary and creepy looking but I remember when I was little I would always question how do ants life underground? So thanks to you I know now which I think is awesome! But when its winter the ants have to stay underground, but do they die or are they alive down their?
ReplyDeleteI never knew ants could breath underground.Your details are great and also how you image the ant farm. This was interesting it makes me want to know more. Overall its a great blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is unbelievable! We are always walking around like nothing so we never really care about these little critters. They have their own little world in the dirt and its just fascinating how much they can do even though they are tiny.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog. I like how you put the websites so that we could find out more about the little critters in your yard. I especially like your last sentence " The yard sure knows how to hold surprises."
ReplyDeleteI must say your blog posts have been quite.. well interesting. Did you ever find out how those acorns made their way to your house?
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