Often watch ants on my patio and whenever I see one it seems very determined to be going somewhere but spends ages retracing it's steps making lots of very abrupt turns and in the end seems to be going nowhere fast. I'm sure it eventually reaches it's destination but why all the to-ing and
fro-ing? I sometimes put down a crumb of food - but this is usually checked - then ignored.
2007-05-01 07:28:44 · 6 answers · asked by ? 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
It's marking out territory and scent marking to show there's nothing of interest.
2007-05-03 01:34:15 · answer #1 · answered by chillipope 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that they are searching for eatable food, or else patrolling their territory for enemies.
I suppose they ignored your crumb of food because they didn't like it. Next time try putting down something with a load if sugar in it (like a drop of soda pop or a wet piece of candy), and see what happens.
2007-05-01 14:57:55 · answer #2 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It either lost the scent trail it was following or is scouting for food or rival ants invading the territory.
2007-05-01 15:40:04 · answer #3 · answered by Shaun 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe you have to much time on your hands for watching ants on your patio.
GET A NEW HOBBY!!!
2007-05-01 15:36:17 · answer #4 · answered by countrygirl13 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
they have puny brains!
2007-05-01 14:31:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
all it is, is that they have had a fight whilst being heavily intoxicated, ran out the house and after coming down a little now finds itself alone and confused trying to find its way home................................................................................................................................................................................................coz its tired and wants to go to bed!!
2007-05-01 15:07:23 · answer #6 · answered by david k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋