2007-03-18 16:56:37 · 4 answers · asked by Edmund 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Most ants are colonial, so they live in complex social groups with different castes (division of labour). When winter comes around most northern ant species will remain underground to avoid the extreme cold. Most can survive by allowing their tiny bodies to freeze, this is known as supercooling. While in this frozen state they are considered to be in what is known as diapause, a state similar to hibernation but with complete bodily and metabolic shutdown. You will see this often especially in the north when splitting wood in winter. If the wood was piled the previous summer, carpenter ants will commonly make the wood pile their home and if you split the right piece of wood, it will be full of overwintering carpenter ants that are frozen solid.
Hope this helps!
2007-03-19 02:00:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When it gets cold, they go underground and try to stay warm. If we're lucky, the ground freezes and kills the next. If not, they come out in the spring with more than before.
2007-03-19 00:05:02 · answer #2 · answered by Debbie R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried wikipedia? It's a great tool. It has some awesome links too. Good luck!
2007-03-19 00:04:50 · answer #3 · answered by Nice one 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting some in the fridge
2007-03-19 00:04:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋