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Ant

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Created page with "==Key Stage 1== ===Meaning=== An '''ant''' is a small insect that can carry things heavier than itself and eats mostly seeds and sweet substances. ===About Ants=== : '''A..."
==Key Stage 1==
===Meaning===
An '''ant''' is a small [[insect]] that can carry things heavier than itself and eats mostly seeds and sweet substances.

===About Ants===
: '''Ants''' have a hard [[exoskeleton]] but are not hairy.
: '''Ants''' come out both at day and at night, depending on the species.
: '''Ants''' can work together in large groups to build their home and find food.

==Key Stage 2==
===Meaning===
An '''ant''' is an [[omnivorous]] [[insect]] known for its social behavior and ability to lift objects many times its own weight.

===About Ants===
: '''Ants''' play crucial roles in their habitat, such as aerating the soil and helping to break down organic matter.
: '''Ants''' have a hard [[exoskeleton]].
: Some '''ant''' species are active during the day, while others are nocturnal.
: '''Ants''' live in colonies that can include millions of members.
: '''Ants''' are [[invertebrates]].
: '''Ants''' care for their young in the nest, which is usually located underground.
: '''Ants''' are found all over the world and live in almost every type of land habitat, including [[tropical rainforests]], [[deserts]], and [[grasslands]].
: '''Ants''' common microhabitats include underground burrows or nests, in trees, under stones, or inside wooden structures.
: The name of '''ant''' young is larvae.

===Adaptations of the Ant===
: '''Ants''' have strong [[mandibles]] which allow them to carry objects many times their weight, an adaptation for foraging and nest building.
: Some '''ants''' have developed a symbiotic relationship with aphids, protecting them and in return feeding on the honeydew the aphids produce, showcasing their adaptation to find food resources.
: '''Ants''' communicate and navigate using chemicals, which allows them to find food, alert other ants to danger, and guide others to resources.

==Key Stage 3==
===Meaning===
An '''ant''' is an [[omnivorous]] [[insect]] known for its complex social structures and ability to adapt to various environments.

===About Ants===
: '''Ants''' play significant roles in their ecosystem, including soil aeration, seed dispersion, and being a food source for other animals.
: '''Ants''' have an [[exoskeleton]] for protection.
: '''Ant''' behaviours vary; some are diurnal, others nocturnal.
: '''Ants''' are [[invertebrates]].
: '''Ants''' serve as both predator and prey within their ecosystems, eating a variety of organic materials and being eaten by birds, reptiles, and mammals.
: '''Ant''' habitats range widely from underground nests to tree canopies.
: They commonly live in colonies within burrows or in trees.
: Most '''ants''' lay eggs.
: '''Ants''' are [[ectothermic]], relying on the environmental temperature to regulate their body temperature.
: '''Ants''' live in highly organized social structures, often referred to as colonies.
: Their group noun is a colony or an army.

===Adaptations of the Ant===
: '''Ants''' have [[mandibles]] adapted for cutting, carrying, and manipulating their environment.
: Their antennae are highly sensitive, allowing them to detect chemicals, vibrations, and air currents, aiding in hunting or foraging.
: Many '''ants''' can produce formic acid as a defence mechanism to protect themselves against predators.
: '''Ants''' have evolved to farm fungi, raise aphids as livestock, and engage in warfare for territory, showcasing diverse survival strategies.

==Key Stage 4==
===Meaning===
An '''ant''' is an [[omnivorous]] [[invertebrate]] belonging to the class [[Insecta]], characterized by its social organization and ability to thrive in most ecosystems.

===About Ants===
: '''Ants''' play integral roles in both their habitat and ecosystem, such as decomposing organic matter and enhancing soil fertility.
: '''Ants''' possess an [[exoskeleton]].
: They are [[invertebrates]].
: '''Ants''' feed their offspring through trophallaxis, sharing digested food.
: '''Ants''' are [[oviparous]], laying eggs.
: '''Ants''' are [[ectothermic]] organisms, regulating their body temperature through environmental heat sources.

===Adaptations of the Ant===
: '''Ants''' exhibit specialized behaviours such as the use of [[pheromones]] for communication and navigation, which are crucial for their survival in diverse environments.
: Certain '''ant''' species have developed structures like the metapleural gland, producing antibiotics to protect their colonies from pathogens.

==Key Stage 5==
===Meaning===
The '''ant''', belonging to the Kingdom [[Animalia]], Phylum [[Arthropoda]], Class [[Insecta]], Order [[Hymenoptera]], Family [[Formicidae]], and various genera, is a small, highly social [[insect]] known for its complex colonies and behaviours.

===About Ants===
: '''Ants''' breathe through [[spiracles]] and a network of [[tracheae]], an efficient system allowing gas exchange directly with their body cells.
: Their digestive system includes a crop for storing food and a gizzard to grind it, suited to their omnivorous diet.