Re: [at-l] Trail Maintenance, Ant-Style

[tmcginnis@ucclan.state.in.us (Thomas McGinnis)]

     Thoreau describes an ant war in "Walden" (either Higher Laws or Brute 
     Neighbors -- despite the titles, I think it's Higher Laws) in intricate 
     detail. I read that in 7th or 8th grade, and confirmed a lot about myself 
     and my own proclivities by reading all of Walden right then. Been following 
     these "battle trails" ever since, and now have my boys doing it too -- they 
     know to look for the dominant direction of travel, for (future slave) eggs, 
     and to distinguish end points. For these, (mostly in hardwood forests -- 
     very different travel conditions for our six legged friends), about 600 
     feet seems to be the max. 
     Sure makes a great way to break up a hike!


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: [at-l] Trail Maintenance, Ant-Style
Author:  Nina Baxley <infpeace@yahoo.com> at ima
Date:    10/19/99 12:55 PM


Hi everyone,

We were walking along the Wild Azalea Trail,
and one guy pointed to a tiny trail running alongside
our trail. It was about three inches in width and ran
alongside our trail for several thousand feet.

Rodney (the guy that pointed this out) explained to us
that ants had built that trail.

 Pretty cool,
huh? Have y'all ever seen these ant trails? Does
anyone know more about them?

Oh well, just thought I'd share!

Nina
ME > GA 2000
(245 more days!)
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