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Nature 411, 752-753 (14 June 2001) | doi:10.1038/35081224

Animal behaviour: Homing in on ant navigation

Mandyam V. Srinivasan

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The ability of ants to travel far from their nests in search of food and to accurately chart their way back has intrigued researchers. Presenting the insects with a hilly challenge now throws light on these navigational skills.

Foraging animals have to be able to find their way to a food source and back to their home or refuge. The Saharan desert ant, Cataglyphis fortis, is an especially impressive navigator, unerringly traversing hundreds of metres across barren landscapes that are almost completely devoid of landmarks.