Leaf-cutter ants have rocky crystal armor, never before seen in insects

I can't help empathizing with animals in such a situation. It must be like getting teleported into an otherwise empty room with a tiger in it. (Turns out that humans with chainmail fare a lot better than those without!)

Re: Leaf-cutter ants have rocky crystal armor, never before seen in insects

#7

Post by emerged » Thu, Nov 26, 2020, 9:22 PM UTC

_Microft wrote: post #6

zrkrlc wrote: post #4

I like how their experiment was literally pitting ants against each other.

I can't help empathizing with animals in such a situation. It must be like getting teleported into an otherwise empty room with a tiger in it. (Turns out that humans with chainmail fare a lot better than those without!)

Ants individually are just happy to be of service to the queen. They should put a picture of the queen nearby as motivation.

Re: Leaf-cutter ants have rocky crystal armor, never before seen in insects

#8

Post by xeeeeeeeeeeenu » Thu, Nov 26, 2020, 9:35 PM UTC

Another interesting animal, an iron snail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaly-foot_snail

Re: Leaf-cutter ants have rocky crystal armor, never before seen in insects

#9

Post by corey_moncure » Thu, Nov 26, 2020, 9:42 PM UTC

TheSpiceIsLife wrote: post #5

Some fig wasps have zinc plated ovipositors. https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/animals/a12957/foun...

And some blood worms have copper fangs!

Re: Leaf-cutter ants have rocky crystal armor, never before seen in insects

#10

Post by suifbwish » Thu, Nov 26, 2020, 9:50 PM UTC

xeeeeeeeeeeenu wrote: post #8

Another interesting animal, an iron snail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaly-foot_snail

Wow that’s one of the coolest things I never learned about until now