I smoke outside and while I was out I saw a newely dead worm. Ants were around the worm. When I came back in about 45 min the ants had started covering the worm with a virety od paint chips, sand, grass ... etc. Now the worm is practically covered. Did they kill the worm, why are they covering it and what are they going to do with it?
2006-07-31 13:34:54 · 12 answers · asked by Paige 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
They could be preserving it... like a fridge. Was it hot when they did it? They could be keeping it covered and cool so that it's still moist when they carry it back to the hill (you know how dead worms dry up in the sun?)
2006-07-31 13:37:36 · answer #1 · answered by gene_is_guilty42 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have never seen this before. Usually they cover said carcass taking back to their ant hill. Probably they did not kill the worm but just harvesting for winter. By the way what were you smoking outside to see these ant antics?
2006-08-01 00:36:27 · answer #2 · answered by Joyce D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the ants noticed a human nearby and figured that it would be best to try to add camouflage to the worm in case you tried to dispose of their worm feast in the garbage can.they'll probably come back later to carry the worm back to their ant tunnel/home to store as food for the colony.i don't think they killed the worm.it was probably a beached worm,similar to a beached whale.it's still a mystery why some animals do this.maybe they're sick or they've lost all strength to survive.
2006-07-31 20:45:34 · answer #3 · answered by bumblebee_chola 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting. I have no idea. Perhaps they are hiding it for later? Like the way a dog buries a bone? I have no clue. But very strange. I bet if you looked online and did a search on ant behavior you'd find your answer.
2006-07-31 20:36:48 · answer #4 · answered by 'Barn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps, it's ant's burial ceremony for the worm because it'll die.
2006-07-31 21:07:40 · answer #5 · answered by RunSueRun 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ants were eating it and was proably already dead
2006-07-31 20:38:30 · answer #6 · answered by Andy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They where covering it up, so no other bugs would eat it, & they'll come back, & take it to the queen, so they can survie.
2006-07-31 20:40:43 · answer #7 · answered by sqishieears 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are saving it for later after it gets all dried out! In the meantime they are hiding it from any birds thast may happen to fly over! Duh!
2006-07-31 20:39:53 · answer #8 · answered by Jimmy Pete 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Marching one by one HURRAH! HURRAH!
2006-07-31 20:36:09 · answer #9 · answered by ndtaya 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are saving for winter.
2006-07-31 20:37:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋