Ant
Contents
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.