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Ants Use Pedometers to Find Home
Ant writes "New Scientist (a short video clip included) reports that desert ants have an internal pedometer that keeps track of how many steps they take, according to a new study. The insects seem to rely on this system to find their way back to the nest after foraging. Other insects may also possess this pedometer-like system. Some types of ants appear to use visual cues or leave scent trails to find their way home. But desert ants have a remarkable ability to retrace their steps from their nesting site even though they travel on flat terrain that is devoid of landmarks, and any odors quickly fade in the hot temperatures."
Wouldn't it be fun to give the ants little shoes to make their legs longer? That would screw 'em up pretty good.
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But it involves massive amounts of alcohol for it to work properly.
Commenly called the beer scooter, it is a mechanism that guides you safley home to your bed, no matter how far away or how drunk you get. Its side effects can be unfortunate though as unexplained cuts and bruises plus a bank account severly depleted of funds are commen occurances upon awakening.
One of the few zoological fields were you can chop off your subjects legs without needing to sign any legal paperwork!
... I learned from SimAnt
"The more corrupt the state, the more it legislates." - Tacitus
What if I find one of these ants on its way home and I pick it up and move it back a few meters (or feet), would it therefore be forever destined to wander the Earth? Or will it just create a new home a few meters (or feet) from the original?
it is only after a long journey that you know the strength of the horse.
but I just use ~
"Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs. We have a protractor."
I'm wondering which drug you have to take to come up with the idea to tie stilts onto ants? This just sounds like something a drunk guy would come up with, except that that normally ends with someone loosing some fingers and teeth, not a scientific article. Of course, both results have the same attractive results with women.
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
We dont need no pedometers. We dont need no leg control. Hey, researcher! leave those ants alone!