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Rules for ants

What rules do ants follow? Read this article to find out more.
© University of Reading

Ants are following these simple rules:

Condition Action
Not carrying food and not on pheromone trail Walk randomly, laying pheromone
Not carrying food but on pheromone trail Follow trail laying more pheromone
Reach nest without food but on pheromone trail Turn around, follow trail in opposite direction
Reach food Pick up food, follow trail in opposite direction
Carrying food Follow trail laying more pheromone
Reach nest with food Deposit food, follow trail away from nest

Note, this is different from how humans would search…

© University of Reading
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