The result is a major achievement in the study of animal social behavior."-Edward O. In this remarkable book, Tschinkel outlines the pioneering methods he has used to reveal their many secrets. "Among the most notable achievements of ants in their evolution has been the instinctive construction of their complex nests and trails. Ingenious and enjoyable!" -Andrew Wakeham-Dawson, Entomologists Monthly Magazine "This is an excellent popular science book and I recommend it highly to biologists of all ages and all levels of experience.
Which is why we are so fortunate that he has pioneered this technique that he shares with his reader in Ant Architecture, enabling us all to obtain a better understanding of both the structures ants create as well as the lives they live within them." -Johannes E. Tschinkel’s castings, appreciation of the complexity and true magnificence of the structures created by ants would be very difficult indeed for even an expert. Offering a unique look at how simple methods can lead to pioneering science, Ant Architecture addresses the unsolved mysteries of underground ant nests while charting new directions for tomorrow’s research, and reflects on the role of beauty in nature and the joys of shoestring science. How does nest architecture vary across species? Do ants have “architectural plans”? How do nests affect our environment? As he delves into these and other questions, Tschinkel provides a one-of-a-kind natural history of the planet’s most successful creatures and a compelling firsthand account of a life of scientific discovery. He guides you through living ant nests chamber by chamber, revealing how nests are created and how colonies function. Tschinkel describes the ingenious methods he has devised to study ant nests, showing how he fills a nest with plaster, molten metal, or wax and painstakingly excavates the cast. This wonderfully illustrated book takes you inside an unseen world where thousands of ants build intricate homes in the soil beneath our feet. Walter Tschinkel has spent much of his career investigating the hidden subterranean realm of ant nests.