An ant can support how many times its body mass?

The ability of an ant to support a significant weight relative to its body mass is a fascinating aspect of its biology. Ants are known to be able to lift and carry objects that can weigh up to 50 times their own body weight, and many species can lift even more. However, the figure often cited in various studies points toward ants being able to exert strength that allows them to carry loads around 5,000 times their body weight in certain contexts.

This incredible strength is primarily due to their small size and the way their muscles work, which allows them to generate a lot of force in relation to their weight. The strength-to-weight ratio decreases significantly as one scales up in size, which is why larger animals cannot lift as many times their weight as smaller ones like ants can. This remarkable ability enables ants to transport food, materials for their nests, and even other insects, showcasing their essential role in their ecosystems.