Ants travel in lines

Image

Image: Zachary Hunt, YouTube

Spring time in Southern California brings out the ants. When ants swarm that crumb on your kitchen counter, they will probably travel in a straight line to get there. Why do ants move in lines and how do ants know to follow this path? What would happen if we obstructed that path with a solid object?

Resources:

YouTube, Ants Travel in Lines

Type
Phenomena
Subject
Life Science

More Activities & Resources:

Calcium can leave white stains around faucets and hoses.
Phenomena
Why do some spiders weave spiral orbs while others weave, tangled or tunneled webs?
Phenomena
What causes the green flash?
Phenomena

The Fleet Science Center invites you to connect to the power of science through FLEETtv!