Do Ants Have Teeth?
Yes, ants have teeth called mandibular teeth. They’re attached to a pair of external appendages called the mandibles. These teeth aid these mandibles in moving objects and processing food. They’re also used by ants as weapons to attack or defend themselves.
In this article, we’ll learn more about ant teeth as we discuss the following:
- Difference between mandibles and teeth
- How many teeth ants have
- What ant teeth are made of
- What ants use their teeth for
Mandibles vs Ant Teeth
Mandibles and teeth are not the same. Mandibles are a pair of appendages that function as jaws. They contain ant teeth in what’s called the masticatory margin. Simply put, these mandibles are what contain ant teeth, not the teeth themselves.
How Many Teeth Do Ants Have?
The number of ant teeth varies between species. Primitive ants only had 2 teeth, the apical and pre-apical teeth. These teeth were connected to their short, curved mandibles. [1]
Modern ants however have more. They have the same 2 teeth plus a varied number depending on their mandibular structure.
For example, Ectatomma tuberculatum ants have mandibles with lengthened masticatory margins. They are nearly toothless. On the other hand, Amblyopone pallipes ants, have a lot of teeth. This is because their mandibles lack a distinct basal angle.
What Are Ant Teeth Made Of?
Ant teeth are made primarily of chitin and proteins that bind individual atoms of zinc. These zinc atoms make up 8 percent of the tooth’s weight. They are uniformly arranged and distributed on the tip of each tooth. They enhance hardness, maintain tooth sharpness, and maximize cutting efficiency. [2]
Ant teeth cut like a scalpel due to these zinc atoms. They allow ants to use less force and spend less energy when using their teeth.
What Do Ants Use Their Teeth For?
Ants use their teeth along with their mandibles to do the following:
Moving Objects
Ants have no hands. Therefore, they use their mandibles to move different objects like food and water. For example, foraging ants bite down on food to carry it back to their nests.
In the same way, ants use their teeth and mandibles to dig and carry debris when building their nests.
Processing of Food
Ants use their teeth to process food. Specifically, their teeth aid the mandibles in tearing, puncturing, and grinding food. They do this to make food easier to carry and eat.
Hunting and Defense
Ants use their teeth as weapons to either attack or defend themselves. Predatory ants, for example, use their teeth to decapitate or dismember their prey. In the same way, ants also use their teeth to subdue smaller predators and competitors.
Related Questions
Do Ants Bite?
Yes, ants do bite. They bite by using their mandibles to pinch down on their victims. They often accompany these bites with venom-injecting stings. These stings deal most of the damage and can cause fatal reactions.
Do Ants Have Hearts?
Yes, ants have hearts. These hearts come in the form of a dorsal vessel. This vessel is a long elongated tube that pumps hemolymph throughout their bodies.
See this article to learn more about ant hearts.
Do Ants Have Bones?
As invertebrates, ants don’t have backbones or any type of internal bony structures. Instead, they have hard rigid exoskeletons made of chitin. These exoskeletons support and protect their bodies.
See this article to learn why ants don’t have bones.
Summary: Do Ants Have Teeth?
To summarize, ants have mandibular teeth attached to their mandibles. These teeth are made of chitin and proteins. They’re also infused with zinc atoms that enhance sharpness. Ants use these teeth to move objects, process food, and as weapons.
The number of these teeth varies depending on the ant’s mandibular structure. All ants though have at least two, apical and pre-apical teeth.
