Post B4m46PocVcCGC7WjYW by oblomov@sociale.network
 (DIR) More posts by oblomov@sociale.network
 (DIR) Post #B4lL0pVtYVwUDjjNgm by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-03-29T21:48:16Z
       
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       Many species of ants build roads. Leafcutter roads can persist for many years and are sometimes mistaken for small vertebrate trails or even human walking paths!Forest dwelling ants may incorporate branches and arboreal routes in their arteries.  The roads start as paths of desire, places where the ground is worn by tiny ant feet ... but at some point the ants take a more active role: they remove large stones and debris, they clip weeds.I wonder what cues cause ants to do road maintenance?
       
 (DIR) Post #B4lLGzI2ySEhAwxTDU by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2026-03-29T21:51:11Z
       
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       My suspicion is that when ants use a path often enough it starts to smell like it's part of the nest. And ants already have behaviors that lead them to keep the nest smooth and clear of debris. The ant roads save workers a lot of time. Ants can traverse complex terrain, but they can go at their top speed on flat packed earth or along a smooth branch. In the city sidewalk cracks become roads for pavement ants, this keeps them safe from being stepped on.
       
 (DIR) Post #B4m46PocVcCGC7WjYW by oblomov@sociale.network
       2026-03-30T06:13:20Z
       
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       @futurebird > even human walking paths!HOW. How fscking large are these things. Wait, I'm not sure I want to know.