It's the ANTS that Count

[neonlyte]

One of the worlds great mysteries has been solved according to the latest issue of Nature magazine. Have you ever wondered why ants run a few steps then stop before charging on again. Turns out they are counting. Apparently they count the number of steps to a place so thay can find it again once they've returned to the nest.

How did scientists work this out I hear you ask - they 'shortened' their legs! Apart from needing an incredibly small pair of scissors to do the job, I'm not sure I could remember where I was going if someone hacked a few inches off below the knee. Their shorter legs 'proved' they had counted the steps, so the right number of shorter steps had them arriving at the wrong place and reaching beneath their carapace for a street map and an ant sized mobile phone.

Of course this doesn't explain why they invariably stop mid journey and run around in circles, unless there are roundabouts unnoticed by the human eye, and it doesn't explain quite why anybody needs this information. EDIT to add: Least of all, you Litizens.

 

[Recidiva]

Maybe the roundabouts are to do locations of the sun.

But then again maybe they're trying to find the rest of their legs.

 

[neonlyte]

Maybe the roundabouts are to do locations of the sun.

But then again maybe they're trying to find the rest of their legs.

yeh... that makes sense

They steer by magnets, just in case you want more Trivia answers. The earths magnetic field I mean, they are not actually holding little magnets in their tiny nothands.

 

[Recidiva]

yeh... that makes sense

They steer by magnets, just in case you want more Trivia answers. The earths magnetic field I mean, they are not actually holding little magnets in their tiny nothands.

I've seen those studies on birds and crabs, also. Take the little magnets out of their heads and they're all lost.

It's sad.

 

[Guest]

One of the worlds great mysteries has been solved according to the latest issue of

How did scientists work this out I hear you ask - they 'shortened' their legs! Apart from needing an incredibly small pair of scissors to do the job, I'm not sure I could remember where I was going if someone hacked a few inches off below the knee.

I hope at least those ants were fire ants. Those little buggers deserve all the torture and suffering that can be administered.

 

[Guest]

Had their legs hacked off in the name of science!? Poor little sods.

As for this:

But then again maybe they're trying to find the rest of their legs.

I know it shouldn't, but it did make me snicker.

 

[neonlyte]

I hope at least those ants were fire ants. Those little buggers deserve all the torture and suffering that can be administered.

Shame on you, poor tiny little critters. I'll let you into a secret, boy scouts rub fire ants together to start the camp fire, it's one of the good Lord's cunning plans to get girls to admire boys in a uniform from as very young age.

 

[Guest]

Shame on you, poor tiny little critters. I'll let you into a secret, boy scouts rub fire ants together to start the camp fire, it's one of the good Lord's cunning plans to get girls to admire boys in a uniform from as very young age.

I can't admire them(ants. I keep my Boy Scout admiration quiet. Underage and all that).. They roam free all across the land here, and they give me a nasty blister when they bite me. I've got three such bites right now because I walked on a sidewalk near where they had a mound.

NO one (at least in this part of the world) loves a fire ant. No one makes plushy fire ant toys. They aren't fun.

Besides, there are any number of other ways my Boy Scount (yes, my husband is an Eagle Scout, honest) can get me to admire him...one of them is dumping ant death on the mounds in the front yard

 

[kendo1]

Hi mal. Did you see that Abs has named her snake after you?

Back to subject. Scientists in Germany attached stilts to ants and came to the same conclusion, if I remember correctly. The ants went too far.
At least, that was how it was reported in the Scotsman last week.

ken

 

[Guest]

Hi mal. Did you see that Abs has named her snake after you?

Back to subject. Scientists in Germany attached stilts to ants and came to the same conclusion, if I remember correctly. The ants went too far.
At least, that was how it was reported in the Scotsman last week.

ken

In highschool, a boy who really liked me named his tarantula for me.

I did not date him.

 

[Recidiva]

In highschool, a boy who really liked me named his tarantula for me.

I did not date him.

I think someone somewhere has a tattoo with a character name of mine. Not MY name. My character name.

Pfft.

 

[Guest]

I think someone somewhere has a tattoo with a character name of mine. Not MY name. My character name.

Pfft.

Well, on the positive side, it's a lot less explaining because you can always pull the "it's not even ME" defense.

Kendo, she didn't either The snake is just sharing a nickname with me.

As it happens, in Chinese astrology, I am a snake -- just not a ball python.

Diplomatic and popular, the Snake has the sensual art of seduction down. This Sign is an interesting mix of gregariousness paired with introversion, intuitive reasoning paired with savvy business skills. Snakes are considered to be lucky with money and will generally have more than enough to live life to the fullest, regardless of how important it considers money to be; this may be due to the fact that Snakes tend to be rather tight with cash. They're not stingy, they're simply more mentally than physically active. Snakes tend to hang back a bit in order to analyze a situation before jumping into it. Their charming, seductive quality actually belies a rather retiring nature; this Sign is perfectly happy to spend the whole day curled up with a good book and, thus, can be mislabeled as being lazy.

The Snake is somewhat insecure deep down and tend to be a rather jealous, possessive lover, behavior that can end up alienating loved ones. Despite these less-than-stellar tendencies, however, the Snake often proves irresistible and is a generous, loving partner.. Slightly dangerous and disarmingly smart, the Snake's philosophical and intuitive mind generally supersedes logic in favor of feelings and instinct. Snakes will rely on their own gut reactions and intuitions before turning to others for suggestions. This makes this Sign a great hand in any business venture, possessing the caution and smarts needed to get ahead.

Snakes are hard workers (when they see good reason to be!) and are possessed of a keen intelligence. Snakes have incredible follow-through, once they get going, and they expect the same from others. Thus, their coworkers and employees had best stay on their toes, lest they anger the Snake and suffer its poisonous bite!

In general, of course, Snakes are generous and genteel, charming and appealing. Snakes must try to learn humility and to develop a stronger sense of self. Once Snakes realize that confidence comes from within, they will finally be comfortable in their own skin.

The most compatible match for a Snake is the Rooster or the Ox.

At least some of that is sorta true. I'm not saying which parts, tho

 

[kendo1]

In highschool, a boy who really liked me named his tarantula for me.

I did not date him.

You're a harsh woman.
Did you date the guy though?

Ken

 

[minsue]

I can't admire them(ants. I keep my Boy Scout admiration quiet. Underage and all that).. They roam free all across the land here, and they give me a nasty blister when they bite me. I've got three such bites right now because I walked on a sidewalk near where they had a mound.

NO one (at least in this part of the world) loves a fire ant. No one makes plushy fire ant toys. They aren't fun.

Besides, there are any number of other ways my Boy Scount (yes, my husband is an Eagle Scout, honest) can get me to admire him...one of them is dumping ant death on the mounds in the front yard

I dunno, I'm not a fan of the fire ant, but I think it's kinda cute

http://www.bugsandstuff.com/pics/4561.jpg

Neon - what kind of freaky assed fire ants do you people have over there??

 

[Guest]

You're a harsh woman.
Did you date the guy though?

Ken

I didn't date either of them. IN general, while I don't mind spiders, I don't think there's much chance of long term relationships with them. My rule is to never get involved with anyone when I have a strong inclination to squoosh them with a shoe.

But that's just me.

 

[Guest]

I dunno, I'm not a fan of the fire ant, but I think it's kinda cute

http://www.bugsandstuff.com/pics/4561.jpg

Neon - what kind of freaky assed fire ants do you people have over there??

Still not plushy.

No, nothing about fire ants is cute. Too many bites. Those suckers HURT.

 

[neonlyte]

Well, on the positive side, it's a lot less explaining because you can always pull the "it's not even ME" defense.

Kendo, she didn't either The snake is just sharing a nickname with me.

As it happens, in Chinese astrology, I am a snake -- just not a ball python.

Diplomatic and popular, the Snake has the sensual art of seduction down. This Sign is an interesting mix of gregariousness paired with introversion, intuitive reasoning paired with savvy business skills. Snakes are considered to be lucky with money and will generally have more than enough to live life to the fullest, regardless of how important it considers money to be; this may be due to the fact that Snakes tend to be rather tight with cash. They're not stingy, they're simply more mentally than physically active. Snakes tend to hang back a bit in order to analyze a situation before jumping into it. Their charming, seductive quality actually belies a rather retiring nature; this Sign is perfectly happy to spend the whole day curled up with a good book and, thus, can be mislabeled as being lazy.

The Snake is somewhat insecure deep down and tend to be a rather jealous, possessive lover, behavior that can end up alienating loved ones. Despite these less-than-stellar tendencies, however, the Snake often proves irresistible and is a generous, loving partner.. Slightly dangerous and disarmingly smart, the Snake's philosophical and intuitive mind generally supersedes logic in favor of feelings and instinct. Snakes will rely on their own gut reactions and intuitions before turning to others for suggestions. This makes this Sign a great hand in any business venture, possessing the caution and smarts needed to get ahead.

Snakes are hard workers (when they see good reason to be!) and are possessed of a keen intelligence. Snakes have incredible follow-through, once they get going, and they expect the same from others. Thus, their coworkers and employees had best stay on their toes, lest they anger the Snake and suffer its poisonous bite!

In general, of course, Snakes are generous and genteel, charming and appealing. Snakes must try to learn humility and to develop a stronger sense of self. Once Snakes realize that confidence comes from within, they will finally be comfortable in their own skin.

The most compatible match for a Snake is the Rooster or the Ox.

At least some of that is sorta true. I'm not saying which parts, tho

That reminds me, I started a story about a snake, a python, I wonder where that slithered off to?

 

[minsue]

No, nothing about fire ants is cute. Too many bites. Those suckers HURT.

My brother made the mistake of trying to block the opening to a large nest of them as a kid, not realizing he was standing right on top of an alternate entrance.... (and yes, I'm going to hell because I still can't think of him screaming and stripping in the backyard without snickering)

 

[Munachi]

i watched some ants try and hide their eggs again after we had poured out the flower pot their had their next in over the compost pile, the other day. it took them quite a while. they don't seem all that coordinated to me. like, if they'd actually help each other with these big eggs, instead of getting into each others way, they might manage...

 

[Recidiva]

My brother made the mistake of trying to block the opening to a large nest of them as a kid, not realizing he was standing right on top of an alternate entrance.... (and yes, I'm going to hell because I still can't think of him screaming and stripping in the backyard without snickering)

I'm really allergic and they're everywhere here.

The last bout of weeding with them arranging themselves all over my arms and feet and biting at once cured me of gardening.

Everything out there is on its own.

 

[R. Richard]

I hope at least those ants were fire ants. Those little buggers deserve all the torture and suffering that can be administered.

Then you should use Amdro. The stuff is poison, but only to a fire ant. They see it as food and take it down into their nest. They eat it and die slowly and painfully. Meanwhile you can stand by the anthikll and say, "Here fire ants, have some yummy food! BWahhhhaaaahhhhhaaaaa!"

 

[Guest]

Then you should use Amdro. The stuff is poison, but only to a fire ant. They see it as food and take it down into their nest. They eat it and die slowly and painfully. Meanwhile you can stand by the anthikll and say, "Here fire ants, have some yummy food! BWahhhhaaaahhhhhaaaaa!"

We keep bags of it in the garage, and always take it camping. Nothing can ruin a camping weekend faster than realizing the ant hills pop up every 3 feet in all directions.

Did I mention I hate fire ants?

 

[Guest]

I'm really allergic and they're everywhere here.

The last bout of weeding with them arranging themselves all over my arms and feet and biting at once cured me of gardening.

Everything out there is on its own.

You and me, sistah. The two bites on my hand occured when I pulled a weed near the walkway.

 

[Recidiva]

You and me, sistah. The two bites on my hand occured when I pulled a weed near the walkway.

I looked like I had the black death. Wasn't so bad at first, but years on, I get huge reaction areas around the bite itself, so I've gotten progressively more and more allergic.

Sometimes I'll plant stuff in the winter...(pansies! I love pansies in February!)

The rest of the year though, it's cactus and those guys are on their own.