First time for everything - just today I had a minor worker black carpenter ant, that was running around on my hand, jump between my two fingers - about a 3/4 inch distance, horizontal leap. Jumping spider esque, real fast (and yes, I’m sure this was not an ant-mimic jumper!). I can’t say I’ve ever…

[image] mollymjacobson: I can’t say I’ve ever in my life seen an ant jump https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8AtOQ9P_b8

Myrmecia pilosula species complex are commonly referred to as Jack Jumpers for their ability and willingness to jump at a perceived aggressor. They have a very painful sting and huge jaws and it is a particular fear of mine to accidentally stumble on one of their difficult to see nests. I believe th…

I can 100% vouch for the extreme pain of their stings!

Trap jaw ants jump using the force of their jaws: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29kDUJVAUBU

As others have mentioned some ant species can jump, but in all my years of observing ants I have never seen a Black Carpenter Ant (or any ant, as I don’t live where the known jumping species are) do this. Do you know the scientific name of the ant? I’m wondering if there is a species people call a B…

Never in my life seen ants jumping

Yes it was Camponotus pensylvanicus, and no, it definitely couldn’t have crossed the distance with legs outstretched. This was a minor worker and I don’t believe it even put its legs out to try, it just went for it.

Whoever took that photo is braver than me! (Or has a better zoom). Those ants are so aggro - when they are coming at you like that you want to be at least a metre away.

I’ve gotten braver and braver with photographing them (I took the photo. And was very close up) as I get to know their behaviour better. My only real fear is standing on their nests unknowingly. Photographing an individual far from its nest is actually very safe. They’re way more cautious of you in …

Can ants jump? Apparently!

Nature Talk

mollymjacobson April 19, 2025, 5:44am 9

They’re adorable!

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Can ants jump? Apparently!

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