The useful versatility of the humble ant

Ants can be used by other animals for a variety of purposes, including as camouflage and home security systems

Weaver ants
(Image credit: (Paul Bertner/Visuals Unlimited/Corbis))

For humans, ants are usually not much more than an annoyance, creeping into our kitchens or disturbing our picnics. But many ant species aren't to be trifled with. They're territorial. They're aggressive. They stick together in large groups. They have strong jaws and can deliver painful bites; take the bullet ant, whose bite is comparable to "walking over flaming charcoal with a three-inch nail embedded in your heel."

Many animals wisely avoid them, but others use ants to their own advantage. They exploit their ferocious traits and use them as disguises, protectors, mercenaries, and, as scientists have recently discovered, home security systems. Here are just a few ways other animals use ants for their own purposes.

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