Meat Ant

Description:

Meat Ants, also called meat - eater ants or gravel nest ants, exist in large underground colonies with a raised gravel mound appearing on the surface. Nests are linked by a series of underground tunnels that can extend many metres, ants also travel in lines or convoys to and from these nests and food sources. Dark red colouring with black/red each end, large nippers, not considered an aggressive ant when compared to others such as bullants, but will swarm in attack mode when nests are disturbed or if they detect possibly food or predator in their path. Size is about 1cm. They eat all manner of food including insects and meaty creatures, vegetation material.

Habitat:

Found throughout Australia mostly in drier areas and soils where gravel, particularly ironstone is prevalent.

Notes:

These ants have been known to latch on to unsuspecting animals and people and start 'chewing' with their mandibles.