This is one of the most fascinating natural wonders! In German, these animals are usually known as honeypot ants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their survival strategy in extremely dry regions (like the deserts of Australia, Mexico, or Africa) is absolutely ingenious and takes the concept of a “storehouse” to a whole new level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How the Living Reservoir Works
When there is an abundance of food after the rare rains \u2013 such as sugary honeydew from aphids or plant sap \u2013 the worker ants begin storing it. Since there are no barrels or honeycombs in the ant nest like in beehives, certain worker ants (the so-called repletes) sacrifice themselves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feeding: Other ants regurgitate the collected nectar in front of the repletes and feed them continuously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Stretching: The crop (fore-stomach) of these select ants swells dramatically. The flexible membranes of their abdomen expand so much that they can reach the size of a small grape \u2013 bulging with amber-colored sugar nectar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rest: The gorged ants are so heavy they can barely move. They cling to the ceiling of the chambers deep inside the nest and hang there for months like living chandeliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Food Dispensing During Drought
When the dry season begins and there is no more food outside, the living reservoirs come into their own. If a fellow colony member needs energy, she gently taps the head of the honeypot ant with her antennae. The ant then regurgitates a drop of the nutritious nectar (a process called trophallaxis).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did You Know? Honeypot ants have always been considered a sweet delicacy by the Indigenous people of Australia (the Aborigines). They carefully dig for the deep chambers to enjoy the ants directly as a nutritious snack.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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