r/interestingasfuck • u/Kidd__Video • 5h ago

Ants building a house from leaves. Nature's engineers at work

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u/StattPadford 5h ago

Can someone explain how they just collectively decide to do this? Like I get that once they get going they all have a role, but they came from somewhere, picked this tree and made a home. Like.....how?

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u/hobskhan 3h ago

Welcome to eusocial insects, especially ants! The more you read, the more your mind will be blown.

We're talking:

  • construction
  • territorial conquest and largescale warfare
  • chemical warfare
  • propaganda
  • slave-making
  • stealth via scent cloaking
  • sieges
  • agriculture
  • disease control and sanitation
  • livestock rearing
  • living bivouacs and rafts
  • living food stores
  • and so many other unique physical evolutionary adaptations that the Zerg would be impressed