Leafcutter ants form the largest and most complex societies on earth, after humans. Their underground nests can grow to more than 30m (260 ft) across and hold up to 8m ants.
While we might travel to Costa Rica to chill out and embrace the Pura Vida, there’s no such rest for these tiny jungle inhabitants.
Worker ants will carry loads up to fifty times heavier than their body weight back to the nest. There, the leaves are chewed up and fed to a special fungus which the ants can then chow down on. When not forming foraging columns, the ants must work to dispose of any waste from the nest, clear pathways around it and defend their home from any who get too close.
We’ll stick to the beach, thanks.
Getting There
G Adventures runs a number of departures in Costa Rica encompassing a wide range of departure dates and activities to cater for different tastes. We’re thrilled at the prospect of showing you this big blue planet of ours — check out our small group trips here.
