{"id":2933,"date":"2022-09-10T14:09:19","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T06:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/?p=2933"},"modified":"2023-09-19T20:12:21","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T12:12:21","slug":"do-ants-have-muscles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-muscles\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Ants Have Muscles?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Yes, ants do have muscles. Ants have a muscular system which supports their bodies, helps with different bodily functions, and ultimately allows for locomotion. It is through muscles that ants are able to move, respire, digest, and excrete waste.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll discuss the ant muscular system and the different functions of ant muscles. Before that however, let\u2019s briefly describe what muscles are exactly.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/do-ants-have-muscles.jpg\" alt=\"do ants have muscles\" class=\"wp-image-2937\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/do-ants-have-muscles.jpg 600w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/do-ants-have-muscles-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Leafcutter_ants.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Geoff Gallice from Gainesville, FL, USA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\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\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#What_Are_Muscles\" title=\"What Are Muscles?\">What Are Muscles?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#Types_of_Muscles\" title=\"Types of Muscles\">Types of Muscles<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#The_Ant_Muscular_System\" title=\"The Ant Muscular System\">The Ant Muscular System<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#Functions_Of_Ant_Muscles\" title=\"Functions Of Ant Muscles\">Functions Of Ant Muscles<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#Locomotion\" title=\"Locomotion\">Locomotion<\/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\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#Mandible_Movement\" title=\"Mandible Movement\">Mandible Movement<\/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\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#Digestion\" title=\"Digestion\">Digestion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#Molting_and_Metamorphosis\" title=\"Molting and Metamorphosis\">Molting and Metamorphosis<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#Spiracle_Control\" title=\"Spiracle Control\">Spiracle Control<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#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-11\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#Why_Are_Ants_So_Strong\" title=\"Why Are Ants So Strong?\">Why Are Ants So Strong?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#Do_Ants_Have_Hearts\" title=\"Do Ants Have Hearts?\">Do Ants Have Hearts?<\/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\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#Do_Ants_Have_Brains\" title=\"Do Ants Have Brains?\">Do Ants Have Brains?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-muscles\/#Summary_Do_Ants_Have_Muscles\" title=\"Summary: Do Ants Have Muscles?\">Summary: Do Ants Have Muscles?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_Muscles\"><\/span>What Are Muscles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Muscles are a specialized body part in animals which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biologyonline.com\/dictionary\/muscle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">exert force to produce movement or locomotion<\/a>. These muscles consist primarily of muscle tissues which contract to produce said force.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Muscle tissues are made up of muscle cells which consist of fine contractile fibers called myofibrils, which in turn are composed of repeating sections of sarcomere, the basic structural unit of a muscle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_Muscles\"><\/span>Types of Muscles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are <a href=\"https:\/\/byjus.com\/biology\/skeletal-muscle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">three types of muscles<\/a>: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Skeletal \/ Striated Muscles<\/strong>: Skeletal muscles are muscle tissues attached to the skeleton. They produce the voluntary movement of the different parts of the body.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Smooth Muscles<\/strong>: Smooth muscles are involuntary muscles utilized by different systems for the application of pressure to organs and vessels. These muscles are essential for the body as they\u2019re involved in complicated and vital tasks such as digestion and electrolyte balance.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Cardiac Muscles<\/strong>: As implied by the name, cardiac muscles are those found in the heart. These muscles perform involuntary and coordinated contractions, which enable the heart to constantly pump blood throughout the body.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Ant_Muscular_System\"><\/span>The Ant Muscular System<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The ant muscular system is different to that of humans and other vertebrates. Due to their small size, <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/chapter\/10.1007\/978-1-4615-6915-2_14\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/chapter\/10.1007\/978-1-4615-6915-2_14\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ants have limited space for muscles<\/a> and thus their muscles are in turn,  reduced in size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ant muscles have less fibers per muscle and to achieve graded muscular contractions (varying amounts of force), each of these fibers are capable of variable response. In contrast, vertebrates produce such graded muscular contractions through the stimulation of a varied number of fibers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, the quantity of nervous tissue in ants is limited, and therefore, they have fewer motor neurons which control the muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, unlike humans and other vertebrates, ants only have striated or skeletal muscles. That said, these muscles can be further categorized into the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Visceral<\/strong>: Visceral muscles are gut muscles that surround ducts and tubes. They form layers of tissue enveloping internal organs such as the heart, gut, and reproductive tract and are what allows for key body processes such as peristalsis, the muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Segmental<\/strong>: Segmental muscles are muscles that allow for telescoping of segments which in turn allow for molting, breathing, and increasing internal body pressure. These muscles also allow for legless locomotion in ant larvae.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Appendicular<\/strong>: Appendicular muscles refer to the muscles associated with limbs and appendages. These are what allow ants to move their mandibles and legs.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Flight<\/strong>: Flight muscles are of course those associated with flight. While <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-wings\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2501\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">not available in most ants<\/a>, these muscles allow alates (reproductive ants) to fly.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Functions_Of_Ant_Muscles\"><\/span>Functions Of Ant Muscles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While ant muscles have a number of differences from human and vertebrate muscles, they ultimately have similar if not the same functions. These functions are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Locomotion\"><\/span>Locomotion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Walking ant in slow-motion\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IHEYBvriv2I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The ant thorax is packed with muscles that power the ant legs and allow ants to move from location to another. Through these muscles ants are able to walk, climb, jump, and swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Flight muscles are also found in the alates of certain ant species. These flight muscles control the wings of these alates and allow them to participate in dispersal flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mandible_Movement\"><\/span>Mandible Movement<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\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-teeth-1-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"do ants have teeth\" class=\"wp-image-2459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-teeth-1-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-teeth-1-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-teeth-1-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-teeth-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Myrmecia_nigrocincta_(Australian_Bull_Ant).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matt Inman<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Aside from legs and wings, muscles also control the movement of the ant mouthparts called mandibles. These <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-teeth\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2456\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mandibles contain teeth<\/a> and help with moving objects, processing of food, and hunting or defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Digestion\"><\/span>Digestion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/genent.cals.ncsu.edu\/bug-bytes\/digestive-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/genent.cals.ncsu.edu\/bug-bytes\/digestive-system\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ant digestive system<\/a> is facilitated by different muscles that control the flow of food throughout the ant body. For instance, the ant mouth itself is a muscular valve where food enters.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From there, the food is then sucked into the pharynx by the muscles located between the head capsule and the anterior wall of the pharynx. These muscles are called cibarial muscles which contract to create a suction called the cibarial pump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the pharynx, the food is then transported from the esophagus to a food-storage organ called the crop via peristalsis or the rhythmic contractions of the visceral muscles. The food then stays in the crop until it\u2019s ready to be processed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it\u2019s time to proceed, sphincter muscles then help move the food to the remaining regions of the digestive system where the food will be digested and eventually excreted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Molting_and_Metamorphosis\"><\/span>Molting and Metamorphosis<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\/2022\/03\/Do-Ants-Molt-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"Do Ants Molt\" class=\"wp-image-2406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Do-Ants-Molt-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Do-Ants-Molt-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Do-Ants-Molt-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Do-Ants-Molt.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:CSIRO_ScienceImage_1651_Ant_species_Onychomyrmex_with_larvae.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CSIRO<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY 3.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants undergo complete metamorphosis to achieve their adult forms. To do so, <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-molt\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2405\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ants undergo molting<\/a>, a biological process in which they shed their exoskeletons to grow and develop. In fact, ants molt multiple times in their life cycle as they develop into mature adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The molting process involves the activation of hormones and secretion of fluids to create new exoskeletons for ant larvae. Once these exoskeletons are ready, the larvae then shed their old exoskeletons by contracting their segmental muscles to crack and split the old exoskeleton open. When it does, the larva then breaks out with a new exoskeleton and physical features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spiracle_Control\"><\/span>Spiracle Control<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Spiracles are tiny holes in the ant exoskeleton which allow for the passive diffusion of gas. These spiracles are connected to a network of tubes called trachea which branch out and distribute gas throughout the ant body. Essentially, <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/how-do-ants-breathe\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2295\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">spiracles are what allow ants to breathe<\/a> and respire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants control these spiracles through muscles which allow them to open and close the spiracles as needed. For example, ants open and close their spiracles in cyclic discontinuous gas-exchange cycles. They may also close them whenever they want to prevent water or other liquids out such as when they are submerged.&nbsp;<\/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\/2022\/01\/are-ants-strong-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"are ants strong\" class=\"wp-image-2264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/are-ants-strong-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/are-ants-strong-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/are-ants-strong-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/are-ants-strong.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Bodybuilder_Ant.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vighnesh Nandavar<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Are_Ants_So_Strong\"><\/span>Why Are Ants So Strong?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants have been shown capable of carrying 100 times their own weight while even the world\u2019s strongest man can only carry around 2.5 times. So what\u2019s their secret, are ant muscles made of steel?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, ants don\u2019t have special muscles that give them super strength and as discussed, their muscles aren\u2019t necessarily much different than ours.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, the <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-strong\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2261\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">secret to their strength<\/a> lies within two factors:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Ants are physically built to be strong. Their muscles, joints, and overall bodies are so compact and tightly put together that they\u2019re capable of withstanding heavy pressure.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\"><li>The bigger factor is the relationship between size, weight, and strength. Since ants are small and light, their muscles don\u2019t need to exert much force to support their bodies, which then allows them to freely apply their strength elsewhere.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Ants_Have_Hearts\"><\/span>Do Ants Have Hearts?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-hearts\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2491\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ants have hearts in the form of a dorsal vessel<\/a>, a long elongated tube which pumps circulatory fluid called hemolymph throughout their bodies. More specifically, the ant heart refers to the posterior region of the dorsal vessel located in the ant\u2019s abdomen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Ants_Have_Brains\"><\/span>Do Ants Have Brains?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-brains\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2533\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ants do have brains<\/a>. While small, their brains provide enough processing power to allow them to process visual stimuli, learn and memorize important information, and lastly, orient and move themselves accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary_Do_Ants_Have_Muscles\"><\/span>Summary: Do Ants Have Muscles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To summarize, yes ants do have muscles. Their muscles are striated and can be further categorized into 4 types: visceral, segmental, appendicular, and flight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each of these muscle types provide a wide range of functions from locomotion and mandible movement to helping with important bodily processes such as digestion, molting, and respiration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yes, ants do have muscles. Ants have a muscular system which supports their bodies, helps with different bodily functions, and ultimately allows for locomotion. It is through muscles that ants are able to move, respire, digest, and excrete waste. In this article, we\u2019ll discuss the ant muscular system and the different functions of ant muscles&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2938,"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\/2933"}],"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=2933"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2933\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3716,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2933\/revisions\/3716"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}