How Do Ants Make Ant Hills?
Anthills are created as a by-product of worker ants digging subterranean tunnels. In fact, ants in general move more earth (soil) than any other organism, including earthworms. As the worker ants dig out the colony’s tunnels, they dispose of the displaced earth by carrying it back out of the colony and depositing it near the entrance. They also dispose of any garbage found in the colony in this way. They carry these tiny bits of dirt and garbage in their mandibles. Usually, this combination of materials is dropped off at the top of the anthill, so it does not slide back down the hole into the colony, although some species of ants work to cultivate a specific shape to their anthills. What Are Anthills Made Of? Anthills are simply piles of fine soil, sand or clay, sometimes with pine needles. They do not usually have any kind of rocks or pebbles in them, as these items are too heavy for a worker ant to carry. Some species of ants use tiny sticks, which they mix with dirt or sand, creatin
