The Ants Bury the Bones

Friday morning I stepped in some ants on the way from the outdoor shower to the back door. When I went to look where it happened, I found the remains of a lizard or gecko (clearly left there by a cat) on the mat just outside the door; the entire mat was crawling with ants. By the time I'd dressed and started to leave for work, I found this interesting pile on the mat where the ants had been.

I've noticed this before, I guess—tiny bones in a mess of tree bits—but have never really thought about until seeing in action the eating and then the leaving. Are they just tidying up? Does it further the decay process, once the ants are done, to surround bones with organic material? How very fascinating!

The Ants Bury the Bones, Part II

This is a large pile, about 3 inches in diameter. I saw the creature before it got covered and its skull must be quarter-sized or more. I am not sure what piece of bone is showing here. I was going to uncover it but the ants are still working on it, so I left it and them alone. Some of the ants were busy with bringing over the cedar bits to add to the blanketing.

Ant Trail

At first glance I thought this was just debris across a paved walkway, but then I realized it was an anthill (lighter brown area at bottom) with a trail leading to it that was lined on either side with dried cedar bits. The trail is about two feet long. It reminds me of the way ants bury the bones when finished with the meat on them. Ants are so amazing. I love them.