Nespaper Article

Elephants driven back by ants

Quite recently, elephants have become a big problem for farmers in Africa.  These animals gorge themselves on a wide variety of human crops, toppling over fences and ignoring loud noises from the farmers all at once.  One thing yet found will deter the giant creatures.  Apparently, scientists have discovered that elephants are afraid of ant-covered trees. 

This was discovered when researchers from the University of Florida had been studying the eating patterns of the elephants and noticed that they ate everything in their path, except one type of plant.  This tree was smothered in ants.  It was problematic as to which thing was driving the large animals away, so the researchers tried an experiment needed to figure out whether it was the tree or the ants.  To do this, they experimented with some elephants and a couple branches from the tree---some with ants, and some without.  They discovered that elephants will enjoy that specific species of tree with as much relish as with all the other plants on their menu, but when ants march into the picture, the branches suddenly seem unappetizing. 

Scientists soon realized that, although most of the parts of an elephant are covered by tough, leathery skin, or stiff, bristly hair, the interiors of their trunks are soft and tender.  When an elephant noses around over a tree branch covered in ants, the ants feel threatened.  In defense, they’ll bite - audaciously ignoring the fact that they are small, and the elephant is big.   One of the most vulnerable places for ants to pinch is the inside of the enemy’s nose - it’s most tender spot, and that’s what they aim for.   

Trees can be rescued by ants.  Now, researchers say it could also be possible to help save crops with ants, too—now that’s a discovery to put a swagger in someone’s footsteps!

Hirji, Zahra. "Hungry Elephants Are No Match for Fearless Ants : Discovery News." Discovery News: Earth, Space, Tech, Animals, Dinosaurs, History. Web. 09 Sept. 2010. <http://news.discovery.com/animals/hungry-elephants-are-no-match-for-fearless-ants.html>.