News Animals

Oops! Grab That Trunk: High-diving ants swing back toward their tree

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Certain ants that live 30 or so meters up in tropical trees can save themselves in midair from ruinous falls by making moves previously known only in cheesy action films.

GREAT FALLS. When worker Cephalotes atratus ants drop from high trees in Peru, they often control the direction of their tumbles to catch on to the trunk and then climb home.