Anthills

An anthill is a mound or network of tunnels built by ants to house a colony. The term usually refers to visible above-ground mounds excavated from soil, but many species nest mostly underground with only small surface openings. Ant hills vary widely in size, shape, and material, influenced by species, climate, and soil type. In tropical regions some species, such as leafcutter ants, form large, elaborate mound systems.

Inside the nest, workers excavate galleries and chambers for brood, food stores, and the queen. Ventilation shafts and carefully arranged passages help regulate temperature and humidity, which supports brood development and, in some species, fungus farming. Leafcutter ants maintain fungus gardens that process plant material into food; other ants rely on seeds, insects, or honeydew collected from aphids.

Ant colonies are highly organized social units led by one or more queens and sustained by workers, and sometimes soldiers. Reproduction is seasonally variable, with winged individuals swarming to found new colonies or colonies budding to split. New nests can also be established by relocation of a portion of the colony.

Ecologically, anthills influence soil structure and nutrient cycling through excavation and debris redistribution. They can affect plant communities via seed dispersal and selective foraging. In human settings some species are pests due to aggressive foraging and mound formation, but in natural ecosystems they contribute to soil aeration, nutrient mixing, and pest regulation.