If you were to take a close look at an ant’s face you would see two large compound eyes each made up of many small lenses. Between these compound eyes is the ant’s antennae which they use to smell touch and taste their surroundings. Underneath the eyes are two small holes which are the ant’s mouthparts. The mandibles (jawparts) of an ant are strong and sharp and are used for cutting and chewing food as well as for defense.
close up photo of an ant’s face
Looking at an ant’s face from the front you would see that the head is rounded and has no neck. There is a small opening on the bottom of the head called the spiracles through which the ant breathes. The whole face is covered in a hard exoskeleton which protects the ant from injury.
While an ant’s face may not be as expressive as ours they are capable of communicating with each other using their antennae. By touching their antennae together ants can communicate their location what they are doing and whether they are in danger.
So the next time you see an ant take a close look and see what an amazing creature they are!
How many eyes does an ant have?
Two
How many antennas does an ant have?
Two
What is the ant’s exoskeleton made out of?
Chitin
Does an ant have a brain?
No they have a central nervous system
What color is an ant’s blood?
Colorless they have an open circulatory system
What is an ant’s lifespan?
about 2-3 years
How fast can an ant run?
3 mph
What do ants eat?
Sugar other insects and plants
What is the purpose of an ant’s stinger?
Defense and to kill prey
What is the world’s largest ant?
The bullhorn acacia ant
What is the world’s smallest ant?
The Pharaoh ant
How many species of ants are there?
22000
What is the most common type of ant?
The red ant
What is the size of a queen ant?
About 10 times the size of a worker ant
How many eggs can a queen ant lay in her lifetime?
About 200 million
