The World War of the Ants – The Army Ant

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Some groups just don't get along. Some groups just don't get along. Every day, billions of soldiers fight a merciless war Every day, billions of soldiers fight a merciless war on thousands of fronts, and it's been going on for over 100 million years. on thousands of fronts, and it's been going on for over 100 million years. The World War of the Ants. The World War of the Ants. Ants are ancient beings that arose around 160 million years ago, Ants are ancient beings that arose around 160 million years ago, and took over a wide variety of ecological niches so successfully and took over a wide variety of ecological niches so successfully that they became one of the dominant animals on planet Earth. that they became one of the dominant animals on planet Earth. Today, they count more than 16,000 different species Today, they count more than 16,000 different species with over 10 thousand trillion individuals. with over 10 thousand trillion individuals. Collectively, ants alone make up 20% of the entire animal biomass on land. Collectively, ants alone make up 20% of the entire animal biomass on land. Similar to humans, their recipe for success is collaboration. Similar to humans, their recipe for success is collaboration. While a single ant is pretty useless, While a single ant is pretty useless, together, they are able to achieve stunning feats. together, they are able to achieve stunning feats. They construct complex colonies, They construct complex colonies, care for livestock, care for livestock, pursue agriculture, pursue agriculture, or have complex symbiotic relationships. or have complex symbiotic relationships. And, of course, ants wage war. And, of course, ants wage war. Even among the same species, a constant state of conflict is pretty common. Even among the same species, a constant state of conflict is pretty common. Skirmishes, raids, and full-on invasions Skirmishes, raids, and full-on invasions are happening every day, causing millions of casualties. are happening every day, causing millions of casualties. Let's look at some of the most interesting ones in a series of videos. Let's look at some of the most interesting ones in a series of videos. In this one, the army ant—a swarm made for war. In this one, the army ant—a swarm made for war. The army ant group consists of about 200 different species. The army ant group consists of about 200 different species. Army ants do not build nests; they live a sort-of nomadic lifestyle Army ants do not build nests; they live a sort-of nomadic lifestyle with groups of millions of individuals. with groups of millions of individuals. On a hunt, some species form large columns up to 100 meters long, On a hunt, some species form large columns up to 100 meters long, killing and immediately dismembering every insect or small vertebrate they encounter. killing and immediately dismembering every insect or small vertebrate they encounter. The biggest hunting parties can kill up to 500,000 animals per day. The biggest hunting parties can kill up to 500,000 animals per day. Some army ants specialize in hunting and consuming other social insects Some army ants specialize in hunting and consuming other social insects like termites, wasps, and especially other ants. like termites, wasps, and especially other ants. Wasps are fierce, and may seem invulnerable, Wasps are fierce, and may seem invulnerable, but if a swarm makes its way to their colonies but if a swarm makes its way to their colonies they don't even stand a chance. they don't even stand a chance. The much bigger and stronger wasps might kill a few of them, The much bigger and stronger wasps might kill a few of them, but they are quickly overwhelmed. but they are quickly overwhelmed. Even if their queen survives an attack, Even if their queen survives an attack, the army ants steal the colony's larvae, and quickly devour them. the army ants steal the colony's larvae, and quickly devour them. There is no recovery from that. There is no recovery from that. When army ants discover another ant colony, they immediately attack. When army ants discover another ant colony, they immediately attack. Now, you might think this would be a more even battle, but it's not. Now, you might think this would be a more even battle, but it's not. Because army ants act as a social unit, Because army ants act as a social unit, they are especially dangerous and effective. they are especially dangerous and effective. Most army ants are not particularly impressive individually, Most army ants are not particularly impressive individually, but they can overwhelm their victims with sheer numbers but they can overwhelm their victims with sheer numbers before the victim colony can mount an effective defense. before the victim colony can mount an effective defense. And so, invasions tend to be won by the attackers And so, invasions tend to be won by the attackers and the prey colony is damaged significantly, and the prey colony is damaged significantly, or is exterminated. or is exterminated. Interestingly, army ants don't fight army ants. Interestingly, army ants don't fight army ants. When two swarms encounter each other in the wild, When two swarms encounter each other in the wild, they either pass through each other, ignoring the other swarm, they either pass through each other, ignoring the other swarm, or both colonies just move away. or both colonies just move away. Which makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint. Which makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint. Army ants that fought other army ants Army ants that fought other army ants probably eradicated themselves millions of years ago. probably eradicated themselves millions of years ago. Indeed, they're so deadly, that other ant species had to specialize Indeed, they're so deadly, that other ant species had to specialize to survive their presence. to survive their presence. Many species just panic and evacuate their nest when they notice army ant scouts Many species just panic and evacuate their nest when they notice army ant scouts carrying as many larvae with them as they can, carrying as many larvae with them as they can, in order to return and rebuild after the attack. in order to return and rebuild after the attack. Other species have invented living bunkers, since fighting is so futile. Other species have invented living bunkers, since fighting is so futile. They have worker classes that have big square heads. They have worker classes that have big square heads. When army ants show up, When army ants show up, they use them to block the entrances to their nests, they use them to block the entrances to their nests, so the attackers have to give up after a while. so the attackers have to give up after a while. But, not everybody is afraid of army ants. But, not everybody is afraid of army ants. Leafcutter ants form some of the largest and most complex societies Leafcutter ants form some of the largest and most complex societies of any animal other than humans. of any animal other than humans. They live in extensive nests, many meters deep and across, They live in extensive nests, many meters deep and across, harboring millions of citizens with a highly-sophisticated division of labor. harboring millions of citizens with a highly-sophisticated division of labor. Like huge soldiers—100 times more massive than a worker. Like huge soldiers—100 times more massive than a worker. Their sole purpose might be to defend their colonies against army ants. Their sole purpose might be to defend their colonies against army ants. They still have a nemesis though. They still have a nemesis though. The diet of the army ant species Nomamyrmex esenbekii The diet of the army ant species Nomamyrmex esenbekii consists mostly of the larvae of other ants. consists mostly of the larvae of other ants. Compared to other army ants, they have a more robust soldier cast. Compared to other army ants, they have a more robust soldier cast. So far, they are the only known species that can successfully attack a mature colony of leafcutters. So far, they are the only known species that can successfully attack a mature colony of leafcutters. When they find a leafcutter colony, hundreds of thousands attack in a long column. When they find a leafcutter colony, hundreds of thousands attack in a long column. The moment the leafcutter ants notice the army ant attack, they go into crisis mode The moment the leafcutter ants notice the army ant attack, they go into crisis mode and immediately alert their soldiers, who very quickly swarm to the site of attack. and immediately alert their soldiers, who very quickly swarm to the site of attack. A frontline develops that can be a few meters wide, and up to a meter deep. A frontline develops that can be a few meters wide, and up to a meter deep. The leafcutter soldiers go head-to-head with the army ants, The leafcutter soldiers go head-to-head with the army ants, locking on them, and try to cut through their heads. locking on them, and try to cut through their heads. Smaller leafcutter workers help by grabbing the enemies. Smaller leafcutter workers help by grabbing the enemies. Small teams carry out attacks behind the frontline, Small teams carry out attacks behind the frontline, where they dismember their enemies by ripping their legs from their bodies. where they dismember their enemies by ripping their legs from their bodies. The attackers, meanwhile, try to swarm their victim soldiers, The attackers, meanwhile, try to swarm their victim soldiers, and sting them to death in a mob. and sting them to death in a mob. Despite the powerful defense, and the determined response, Despite the powerful defense, and the determined response, the army ants are still superior in numbers. the army ants are still superior in numbers. So, without knowing if the battle can be won, the leafcutters prepare for the worst. So, without knowing if the battle can be won, the leafcutters prepare for the worst. Workers rush to create barricades, Workers rush to create barricades, and seal off as many entrances to their nest as possible to secure their brood. and seal off as many entrances to their nest as possible to secure their brood. If the leafcutters are not able to repel the invaders, If the leafcutters are not able to repel the invaders, or at least barricade enough of their entrances in time, or at least barricade enough of their entrances in time, the army ants swarm the nest, overrunning all opposition. the army ants swarm the nest, overrunning all opposition. They penetrate deep into the hidden chambers, They penetrate deep into the hidden chambers, and steal tens of thousands of the leafcutters' brood to eat them. and steal tens of thousands of the leafcutters' brood to eat them. Even if the leafcutter colony survives, this is a heavy blow. Even if the leafcutter colony survives, this is a heavy blow. Regardless who has won the war, thousands lay slain on the battlefield. Regardless who has won the war, thousands lay slain on the battlefield. When the army ants attack, death follows them. When the army ants attack, death follows them. But, there are other species that form much more dangerous ant armies. But, there are other species that form much more dangerous ant armies. Species that form supercolonies, covering thousands of square kilometers Species that form supercolonies, covering thousands of square kilometers over multiple continents, engaging in wars kilometers across. over multiple continents, engaging in wars kilometers across. They deserve their own video though. They deserve their own video though. No matter the scale, war is a part of ant existence, No matter the scale, war is a part of ant existence, be it between huge colonies or small groups trying to fend off a raid. be it between huge colonies or small groups trying to fend off a raid. In tropical rainforests, but also in the cracks of the concrete we walk over every day. In tropical rainforests, but also in the cracks of the concrete we walk over every day. Humans have decided that war is not a thing that they want to do a lot anymore. Humans have decided that war is not a thing that they want to do a lot anymore. For ants, though, the other ant will always be the enemy. For ants, though, the other ant will always be the enemy. No, some groups just don't get along. No, some groups just don't get along. If you can't get enough of ants, we're developing Part 2 of the Ant Series If you can't get enough of ants, we're developing Part 2 of the Ant Series right now with the support of CuriosityStream. right now with the support of CuriosityStream. CuriosityStream is a subscription streaming service with thousands of documentaries, CuriosityStream is a subscription streaming service with thousands of documentaries, and nonfiction titles. and nonfiction titles. kurzgesagt viewers can visit: curiositystream.com/kurzgesagt kurzgesagt viewers can visit: curiositystream.com/kurzgesagt to get a free 31-day trial to watch films like, "Big World in a Small Garden", to get a free 31-day trial to watch films like, "Big World in a Small Garden", a documentary that takes a close look at the world of insects around us. a documentary that takes a close look at the world of insects around us. Or other documentaries by the likes of Stephen Hawking, David Attenborough, Or other documentaries by the likes of Stephen Hawking, David Attenborough, and many more, all available for offline viewing. and many more, all available for offline viewing. Once your trial is over, the subscription is only $2.99 per month. Once your trial is over, the subscription is only $2.99 per month. CuriosityStream was founded by the same people who started the Discovery Channel CuriosityStream was founded by the same people who started the Discovery Channel with documentaries spanning science, nature, history, technology, and lifestyle. with documentaries spanning science, nature, history, technology, and lifestyle. It's a great way to binge-watch fun videos while accidentally learning things. It's a great way to binge-watch fun videos while accidentally learning things. Thank you so much to our friends at CuriosityStream for supporting our ants obsession, Thank you so much to our friends at CuriosityStream for supporting our ants obsession, and making ambitious projects like this possible. and making ambitious projects like this possible. Stay tuned for Part 2, Stay tuned for Part 2, and visit curiositystream.com/kurzgesagt for your free trial. and visit curiositystream.com/kurzgesagt for your free trial.

Info

Channel: Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell

Views: 6,665,545

Rating: 4.9601598 out of 5

Keywords: Ant, Ants, Army Ant, Ant Colony, Insects, Animals, War, Eciton, Swarm, Species, Neotropical Army Ants, Wasp, Termite, Prey, Lavee, Queen Wasp, Soldier, Bullet Ant, Giant Amazonian Ant, Leafcutter, Nest, Brood Chamber, Worker Ants, Dinosaurs, Myrmecocystus, Melissotarsus, Oecophylla, Nomamyrmex esenbeckii

Id: 7_e0CA_nhaE

Channel Id: undefined

Length: 8min 35sec (515 seconds)

Published: Sun Aug 11 2019

Reddit Comments

I grew up having two ant wars take place in my backyard and it was extremely interesting to watch. At one point the losing ants would climb up on to adjacent walls with their eggs to protect them.

👍︎︎ 483 👤︎︎ u/phonenstro 📅︎︎ Aug 11 2019 🗫︎ replies

There's so many interesting things about ant biology! They're not kidding about the size difference between the smallest and largest workers, which is insanely large considering these are all members of the same species (and furthermore, siblings). Also, while the Pheidole species they mention is a good example of ants that block off their nests with their own bodies, there are some turtle ants that are even more specialized for this and they look pretty weird as a result.

👍︎︎ 159 👤︎︎ u/That_Biology_Guy 📅︎︎ Aug 11 2019 🗫︎ replies

In case you were wondering what it looks like when Army Ants attack a wasp nest.

👍︎︎ 671 👤︎︎ u/Chrisixx 📅︎︎ Aug 11 2019 🗫︎ replies

Finally, a Kurzgesagt video that doesn't make me question my place in the universe and give me an existential crisis.

On a side note... I miss Sim Ant.

👍︎︎ 77 👤︎︎ u/elleape 📅︎︎ Aug 11 2019 🗫︎ replies

We need an Ant-based RTS

👍︎︎ 135 👤︎︎ u/ColouredFlowers 📅︎︎ Aug 11 2019 🗫︎ replies

I can't wait for the video on those super colonies.

👍︎︎ 165 👤︎︎ u/fpstuco 📅︎︎ Aug 11 2019 🗫︎ replies

Thanks. I now have a new horrifying fear.

Here's a video of the real life thing if your curious.