The extraordinary image of an ant carrying 100 times its own body weight has scooped first prize in a science photography competition. The photo shows an Asian weaver ant hanging upside down on a glass-like surface and holding a 500mg weight in its jaws. It was captured by Dr. Thomas Endlein of Zoology department at the University of Cambridge who was investigating the sticky feet of ants and other insects. "Ants can change the size and shape of the pads on their feet depending on the load they are carrying," Dr. Endlein said. If they have to carry heavy loads they increase the contact area, and when they need to run they decrease it. Dr. Endlein added that as well as shedding light on ants' seemingly gravity-defying feats, the research could help scientists develop better glues. "The pads on ants' feet are self-cleaning and can stick to almost any type of surface," he said. No man-made glue or adhesive system can match this. "Understanding how animals can control their adhesive systems should help us come up with clever adhesives in the future." He also explained how he enticed the ant to hold on to the weight. "The ants are very aggressive indeed by nature, so they will try to grab and snatch everything you put close to them," he said. Once they grab on to it, they don't let go as they try to defend their territory. You can make them even more aggressive by annoying them with CO2 - they become really vicious and really angry.
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