More than 30 honeypot ant species live in North America. Our newest fact sheet focuses on Myrmecocystus mimicus, one of the amazing insects making a debut at Wildlife Explorers Basecamp in February.
Honeypot ants are named for a special caste of workers called repletes that store liquid in their (hugely!) expandable abdomen. When food and water are scarce, these living food containers regurgitate nectars and water for their colony members.
The social behavior and unusual territorial displays of M. mimicus have long fascinated biologists. Yet we have plenty more to learn about these ants. One behavior puzzling scientists is why M. mimicus pulls scarab beetles into its nests, the beetles later emerging unscathed.
What's happening below ground? Stop by Wildlife Explorers Basecamp in February for a glimpse of some bustling insect neighborhoods.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Library publishes and curates a collection of more than 125 Animal Fact Sheets, ranging from invertebrates to mammals. Each includes an extensive bibliography and most are peer reviewed by scientific experts. We hope our research helps you share your passion for protecting wildlife.
Visit the Animal Fact Sheet Index to find an animal or browse a complete list of fact sheets.
Watch for these animals the next time you're at the San Diego Zoo. Both are critically endangered, meaning they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Animal Fact Sheet Alerts is an occasional e-mail notification service that announces new Animal Fact Sheets published by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Library. These fact sheets — commonly used by SDZWA team members and also freely available online — summarize information on an animal species or closely related group. Sources include peer-reviewed scientific journals, scholarly books, authoritative reports and databases, as well as scientists and wildlife care experts.
To learn more about the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Library, visitlibrary.sandiegozoo.org.
