{"id":2078,"date":"2021-09-12T11:02:18","date_gmt":"2021-09-12T03:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/?p=2078"},"modified":"2023-09-19T20:16:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T12:16:06","slug":"are-ants-reptiles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Ants Reptiles?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Ants are not reptiles, they\u2019re insects. While both are animals, ants, and reptiles have very different characteristics. One major example is that reptiles are vertebrates whereas ants are invertebrates.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll learn more about why ants aren\u2019t reptiles as we discuss the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>What are reptiles and their characteristics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Similarities between ants and reptiles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Differences between ants and reptiles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-b-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"are ants reptiles\" class=\"wp-image-3207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-b-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-b-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-b-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-b.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/leuchtpunkt-13009256\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5314020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Andreas Neumann<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=5314020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#What_Are_Reptiles\" title=\"What Are Reptiles?\">What Are Reptiles?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Characteristics_of_Reptiles\" title=\"Characteristics of Reptiles\">Characteristics of Reptiles<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Scales_or_Scutes\" title=\"Scales or Scutes\">Scales or Scutes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Tetrapods_or_4-Legged\" title=\"Tetrapods or 4-Legged\">Tetrapods or 4-Legged<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Oviparous\" title=\"Oviparous\">Oviparous<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Cold-Blooded\" title=\"Cold-Blooded\">Cold-Blooded<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Lungs\" title=\"Lungs\">Lungs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Similarities_Between_Ants_and_Reptiles\" title=\"Similarities Between Ants and Reptiles\">Similarities Between Ants and Reptiles<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Ants_are_Oviparous\" title=\"Ants are Oviparous\">Ants are Oviparous<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Ants_are_Cold-Blooded\" title=\"Ants are Cold-Blooded\">Ants are Cold-Blooded<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Why_are_Ants_Not_Reptiles\" title=\"Why are Ants Not Reptiles?\">Why are Ants Not Reptiles?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Ants_Have_Exoskeletons_Instead_of_Scales\" title=\"Ants Have Exoskeletons Instead of Scales\">Ants Have Exoskeletons Instead of Scales<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Ants_are_Invertebrates\" title=\"Ants are Invertebrates\">Ants are Invertebrates<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Ants_Have_6_Legs\" title=\"Ants Have 6 Legs\">Ants Have 6 Legs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Ants_Have_No_Lungs\" title=\"Ants Have No Lungs\">Ants Have No Lungs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Related_Questions\" title=\"Related Questions\">Related Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Are_Ants_Mammals\" title=\"Are Ants Mammals?\">Are Ants Mammals?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#What_is_the_Classification_of_Ants\" title=\"What is the Classification of Ants?\">What is the Classification of Ants?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Do_Ants_Eat_Reptiles\" title=\"Do Ants Eat Reptiles?\">Do Ants Eat Reptiles?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-reptiles\/#Summary_Are_Ants_Reptiles\" title=\"Summary: Are Ants Reptiles?\">Summary: Are Ants Reptiles?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_Reptiles\"><\/span>What Are Reptiles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Reptiles are members of the animal <strong>class Reptilia<\/strong>. They include snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, and alligators. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.coursehero.com\/study-guides\/boundless-biology\/reptiles\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.coursehero.com\/study-guides\/boundless-biology\/reptiles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reptiles have been around for millions of years. They evolved from amphibians and now represent more than 8200 living animal species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These species live in different habitats such as deserts, forests, and oceans. There they play an important role serving as both predators and prey.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Characteristics_of_Reptiles\"><\/span>Characteristics of Reptiles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-2-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-2-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-2-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-2-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/anrita1705-11109462\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4763351\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Anrita1705<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4763351\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Like other animals, reptiles are classified according to shared characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To begin with, reptiles are <strong>chordates<\/strong>. They have notochords, dorsal hollow nerve cords, pharyngeal slits, and post-anal tails. Furthermore, they&#8217;re also <strong>vertebrates<\/strong> and have brains and spines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What separates reptiles from other chordates and vertebrates though are the following characteristics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scales_or_Scutes\"><\/span>Scales or Scutes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Reptiles have <strong>scales or scutes<\/strong> on their skin. These scales or scutes provide protection, prevent water loss and aid in movement. They help prevent injury and regulate body temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tetrapods_or_4-Legged\"><\/span>Tetrapods or 4-Legged<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/are-ants-reptiles-4-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/are-ants-reptiles-4-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/are-ants-reptiles-4-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/are-ants-reptiles-4-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/are-ants-reptiles-4.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/piro4d-2707530\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2427248\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">PIRO<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2427248\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Reptiles are tetrapods or have <strong>four limbs<\/strong>. They use these limbs to move efficiently on land and other environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This characteristic is apparent with certain reptiles like lizards and crocodiles. However, snakes are unique in that they have no legs but are still considered reptiles. This is because snakes descended from lizards but lost their legs as they evolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Oviparous\"><\/span>Oviparous<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most reptiles are oviparous, which means they <strong>lay eggs<\/strong>. This reproductive method is in contrast to mammals and birds, which give live birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These eggs are produced sexually through internal fertilization. They are then laid on land with enclosed shells.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are reptiles, however, that are viviparous. This means that they can give birth to live young. A prime example of this is the viviparous lizard <em>Zootoca vivipara<\/em>. [<a href=\"https:\/\/reptile-database.reptarium.cz\/species?genus=Zootoca&amp;species=vivipara\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/reptile-database.reptarium.cz\/species?genus=Zootoca&amp;species=vivipara\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cold-Blooded\"><\/span>Cold-Blooded<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Reptiles are ectothermic or cold-blooded animals. They <strong>rely on the environment<\/strong> to regulate and maintain body temperature. They will often bask in the sun to heat up and cool down by seeking shade or water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lungs\"><\/span>Lungs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Reptiles don\u2019t have the ability to absorb oxygen through their skin. Instead,\u00a0they <strong>breathe in oxygen through the lungs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Similarities_Between_Ants_and_Reptiles\"><\/span>Similarities Between Ants and Reptiles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-3-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-3-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-3-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-3-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/are-ants-reptiles-3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/stocksnap-894430\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2571968\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StockSnap<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2571968\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants and reptiles have a few similarities. They are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ants_are_Oviparous\"><\/span>Ants are Oviparous<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Like reptiles, ants are oviparous. They <strong>produce eggs<\/strong> instead of giving birth to live young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In ants, eggs are mostly produced by the queen. These queens can produce millions of eggs in their lifetime. In some species, queens can lay an average of 800 eggs daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ants_are_Cold-Blooded\"><\/span>Ants are Cold-Blooded<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Like reptiles, ants are also <strong>cold-blooded<\/strong>. They rely on the environment to regulate internal temperature. In fact, ants have developed sophisticated strategies to obtain heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, their mounds work as solar collectors. They are built with efficient ventilation systems that maintain temperatures within the nest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_Ants_Not_Reptiles\"><\/span>Why are Ants Not Reptiles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite some similarities, ants are not reptiles due to the following characteristics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ants_Have_Exoskeletons_Instead_of_Scales\"><\/span>Ants Have Exoskeletons Instead of Scales<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ants don&#8217;t have scales<\/strong>. Instead, they have chitin-exoskeletons that support and protect their bodies. These exoskeletons are composed of two layers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One is a thin outer layer used for regulating water loss. The other is a thick inner layer used to protect the organs and other internal structures.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exoskeletons and scales have similar functions but vary in composition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ants_are_Invertebrates\"><\/span>Ants are Invertebrates<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike reptiles, <strong>ants are invertebrates<\/strong>. This means that they don\u2019t have spines and an internal bone structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In place of bones, ants have exoskeletons that as mentioned, support their bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ants_Have_6_Legs\"><\/span>Ants Have 6 Legs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/how-many-legs-do-ants-have\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2589\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Ants have six legs<\/strong><\/a> instead of four. These legs are specialized and specially adapted for ants. They are jointed and flexible to allow ants to move despite their rigid exoskeletons.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants use these legs to move around and climb surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ants_Have_No_Lungs\"><\/span>Ants Have No Lungs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants aren\u2019t big enough to accommodate a complex respiratory system. Therefore, they <strong>don&#8217;t have lungs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, they have a specialized respiratory system known as a tracheal system. This system allows them to breathe through a network of tubes called the trachea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These tubes run throughout their bodies and allow for the passive diffusion of gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See this article to learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/how-do-ants-breathe\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2295\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how ants breathe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Questions\"><\/span>Related Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/are-ants-insects-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"are ants insects\" class=\"wp-image-57\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/are-ants-insects-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/are-ants-insects-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/are-ants-insects-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/are-ants-insects.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Ants_Mammals\"><\/span>Are Ants Mammals?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No, ants are not mammals. In fact, ants are much more different from mammals than they are from reptiles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, while ants and reptiles are cold-blooded, mammals are warm-blooded. Mammals are also viviparous while ants are oviparous.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, mammals have mammary glands which no other animals have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See this article to learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-mammals\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2089\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">why ants are not mammals<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Classification_of_Ants\"><\/span>What is the Classification of Ants?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants are insects. They have segmented bodies, three pairs of jointed legs, and two pairs of wings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more, see this article on <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-insects\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"68\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">why ants are insects<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Ants_Eat_Reptiles\"><\/span>Do Ants Eat Reptiles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, ants eat reptiles. Most ants scavenge and eat reptiles when they\u2019re dead. Some ants like fire ants and army ants also attack and feed on small reptiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary_Are_Ants_Reptiles\"><\/span>Summary: Are Ants Reptiles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To summarize, ants are not reptiles. Despite having a few similarities, ants are all in all very different from reptiles. They don\u2019t have scales, lungs, or spines, and have six legs instead of four.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ants are not reptiles, they\u2019re insects. While both are animals, ants, and reptiles have very different characteristics. One major example is that reptiles are vertebrates whereas ants are invertebrates. In this article, we\u2019ll learn more about why ants aren\u2019t reptiles as we discuss the following: What Are Reptiles? Reptiles are members of the animal class&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3207,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2078"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3762,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2078\/revisions\/3762"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}