The Invention of Ant Nest Architecture

[@AntLab]

There have been a few comments about the destructiveness of making these casts, which I want to address by providing more context. 1) The nest that we cast in metal in this video is a Camponotus socius nest. That species is polydomous (a single colony spans across multiple independent nests, averaging >2), which means that this cast did not destroy the colony. The colony still lives on, likely just missing some of its worker population. 2) The other big cast in this, the one Walter shows in the biology building, was made from a recently abandoned nest. No ants were in that. 3) At a broader scale, Walter has been studying ant nest architecture for ~25 years by making 100-200 casts mostly from the same field site in Northern Florida. The ecological impact and the impact on the ant communities in these places from this activity is near zero. 4) This is done for research purposes, permits and approval are needed for doing this type of work on these public lands. 5) If you would like to get even more context, I really recommend checking out his nest architecture book. If I didn’t answer your question here, the answer is probably in that book! Thanks for watching!

[@Arhonnys]

Thank you very much for including this, as an educator I know that what seems obvious to us is what generates the greatest conflicts in learning and in the transmission of the message. PS: I really love your job

[@dickbell6342]

You aren't even aware of how insane you really are you actually believe this is normal human behavior

[@dennysschmid3078]

You should at least have given this explanation in the video and also add some of the scientific findings. All we can see in the video is the digging process and the art collection. I don't know any more about ants than I knew before watching the video. Sorry, but this looks like a hobby, not science.

[@Arhonnys]

@@dennysschmid3078 I totally agree for not including this in the video we see idiots commenting: I want one where ants are seen. I got to this channel by antscanada #antsloveforever.

[@patriciatetzel728]

"... likely just missing some of its worker population." - at least be honest, this is destructive by far. This semantic reveals the scientific view on living beings and the violent reification which goes along with it. Nevertheless, a great channel. Thank you!

[@Charliemmag]

As a child, I once saw a documentary that showed some people doing this. It fascinated me, but I was never able to catch it on TV again. When internet came around, I finally got to see more footage of this. Now I can see a whole video with the man who invented the technique! This is awesome!

[@ivymainhouse7865]

so what did u gain? Are u happy to see? Has this answered any of your questions or it only satisfied your visual curiosity? I hope now you are resting and happy as i too im so happy i've seen whats down below, but i have many unanswered questions, so best to stop killing those beautiful nests and leave them to be as they have a purpose. Its called Echosystem. its very well balanced before humans start messing with it for visual satisfactory fulfillness.

[@Charliemmag]

@@ivymainhouse7865 @Ivy Main House Yes, I'm happy to be able to see it, since I find ants fascinating and being able to see their nest structure is amazing. I can see where you're coming from, but I believe the guy has proper scientific reasons to do the research. If somehow it becomes clear that this practice is harming the echosystem, then I agree it should stop, otherwise the science makes it worth it. For more information about this issue, check the pinned comment, it clarifies that the man is pretty much doing no harm to the system.

[@RobsatvsandRec]

Let’s note how much time he dedicated to this man on his own channel uninterrupted instead of himself being the focus in this video. Great guy!

[@robertmacpherson9044]

When I was an entomology student at Cornell in the late 70s, I spent one summer digging up and recording sweat bee nests. We used thin plaster which we dyed florescent green so we could follow the nest in the dim light of the hole we dug.

[@diptube6563]

I'd love to see this done for termite mounds, those things get so damn tall who knows how deep they can also get?!

[@Spectrulus]

So glad to see a video from you again! I always found these fascinating, neat to learn about the person and techniques for making them, and their scientific value. Thank you for sharing!

[@guardffire]

This makes me wonder, has he yet casted anthills in, lets say, chernobyl for instance. Would their anthills look different to similar ants in non radiated areas? Etc. Very fascinating!

[@DaniAlchemilla]

That would be really interesting to see if there is any difference between ants in radiation affected areas and non. Someone should def do this!

[@no1inparticular487]

thats a really good idea

[@alexmijo]

I doubt any area around chernobyl is still radioactive enough to have much effect though

[@211yayala]

Really interesting, not just for Chernobyl, l mean it's not The same land in a desert, a valley, a mountain etc, this can change totally The morph of the net

[@dr.zoidberg5096]

There are videos about the effect that Chernobyl has on wildlife in the area. From what I understand, there isn’t a significant “mutation” of any species. I think bird eggs might have been getting thinner but I don’t think much more has happened than that. Although that’s pretty serious if it’s happening.

[@chronic2001n]

It's neat to see, but sad to think of the colonies that are obliterated for it. I wonder how old that large colony/nest was that is in the biology center.

[@mikeyfourbarrel8473]

Thanks for pointing this out. How do people not think of this?

[@Salted_Fysh]

Doing it for scientific study is okay I think, what I don't like are private casts for selling. Though I guess if you limit yourself to invasive species with those, it's not a problem since those tend to do considerable harm to their habitat and the native ant species.

[@purpleisthesneakiest]

i don't have that much sympathy for the ants, given that many colonies belong to invasive species, like the red imported fire ant

[@RAWRxLIKExPANDA]

sad to think people get sad over killing ants

[@antidoteforlife9460]

These are any lovers making casts, I'm sure they are putting something in the nest first to drive them out, then pouring. Come on use your brain

[@raziasrazias7761]

A transparent polymer would show the ants. Wonder if there is one.

[@formorianify]

It would have to be a very fluid polymer, most polymer I see is usually very thick and doesnt flow easily. But it would be very interesting indeed.

[@user-bt2lx4gy7h]

It would just push them down to the bottom, and wedge them into places.

[@cjhoward]

Great content! I've been working on an algorithm for procedural generation of 3D ant nests, primarily based on Dr. Tschinkel's research. It's interesting to see his casting process on video, and I'll definitely be getting a copy of his new book.

[@stevenservin627]

that's really cool! could you post your research here once it's published? I'd love to see read it, sounds super cool!

[@cjhoward]

​@@stevenservin627 Thanks! Sure, I'll send you a link when it's done.

[@Cherry-da-bomb]

that's really cool I can't wait to see it

[@mayabartolabac]

@@Cherry-da-bomb same

[@Cambesa]

same

[@bryankopkin6869]

You can see how happy he looks after that successful cast :). He loves what he does

[@denys-p]

“Ants heaven” filled by molten aluminum

[@colorado841]

It should be called the ants highway to heaven.

[@JabbarTV1]

pretty sure they are empty nests

[@ahmetkerem4769]

This is quite an interesting method for myrmecology. The book is definitely on my to read list. But I am worried about the effects of this act of scientific study. Doesn't intensive and continous destruction of live colonies, if that is usually the case, affect the population of certain ant species negatively? Although one might say that it's effects to species are minor. But I am unaware of number of nests that get casted, so I might be overestimating.

[@coyotefoxtrot2832]

I was wondering the same. I wish he had addressed it in the video...does he attempt to seek out abandoned nests? Is that even a viable option?

[@Ben-ve4kf]

Seeking out abandoned nests won't work because you don't know which species it is and it could probably already be destroyed in the deeper parts. But i am pretty sure that especially he as a scientist won't cast nests of rare or endangered species, all he showed in the video were very common ant species and some of them are even killed as pests. But i think that some of the other guys doing it without knowing might accidentally cast rare species because they don't know or care.

[@ahmetkerem4769]

@@Ben-ve4kf Well said. Thank you.

[@cortster12]

Ants are so successful that the only real threat to ants are other, more invasion, species of ants.

[@JustMyNipples]

casting CANNOT be done on active nests because they are active.

[@jcgongavoe337]

“It's a beauty, don'chyou think?” That's easily a video game villian phrase right there

[@blue_champignon5738]

I'm amazed at how deep aluminum will go down, I imagined that it would immediately begin to cool down and stop flowing after a certain depth

[@campathz]

well, melting point of aluminium is just above 660°, so i guess it takes a while to cool down

[@davidonfim2381]

@@campathz Melting point = freezing point, so it only needs to cool down to 660C to solidify.

[@entobird]

Dr. Tschinkel has been a huge influence in my work and my passion for ants! The Fire Ants and his vast research career has been invaluable throughout my PhD and understanding experimental design. So so cool to hear from him on your channel, what a great video! Thanks for this

[@pupating]

Great seeing Walter in action! I would have enjoyed seeing more of his explanations/descriptions of his trophy casts.

[@ivymainhouse7865]

There is nothing to explain anything, the guy clearly said he was met with many unanswered questions, as this video show, its only about visuals, so all this is a waste. Its simply obliterating beautifully made nests. Killing ants for no reason other than satisfying our human desires to know more, and in this instance, we know less. lol

[@Allplussomeminus]

Must be apocalyptic for the ants inside.

[@anafindlay4036]

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING, WHAT A CRUEL WAY TO DO YOUR RESEARCH!!😥 CAN'T THEY FIND ABANDONED NESTS FOR THEIR RESEARCH??

[@Lambda_Ovine]

@@anafindlay4036 I didn't see any ants coming in and out of the nest, so I'm going to assume they do the casting on abandoned nests.

[@Sparkmysplixf]

they usually cast abandoned nests

[@7r47ufchfyw7twguwgu]

@@Lambda_Ovine go check australlia ant art puts them on not abandoned nests! Hope he pays

[@davo4174]

Who would have thought that the story of casting ant nests in metal would be so interesting? You did Mr. Ant Lab, you did! Thank you for showing me a part of life I know so little about.

[@justanirishtayto5755]

I’d love to see how any architecture shows genetic relationships. Building plans may show how some are more closely related and how others are more distant relatives due to their style architecture. It would be neat to be able to have a understanding of how ants think like how we do by examining hominid fossils and their tool use.

[@forevermarked5826]

My mind was blown the first time I seen this being done to an ant nest. And still amazes me. Anys always fascinated me, love those little warriors. I'd love to own one but I also dont wanna support destruction of a ant colony. This video is great.

[@justayoutuber1906]

Fire Ants are destructive and non-native invaders.

[@mitchellwhite9920]

Such impressive results are fortified by his relentless research. Sometimes solitary exploration is required for intense focus that often produces the most startling results. I have an idea that I will share with you at some point. My years of experience showcasing the wonders of sculpture as functional objects for galleries has led me to you perhaps. Great work ethics on display. BRAVO !

[@ivymainhouse7865]

what results other than killing ants have u discovered?

[@leonardmichaelbessette8117]

Oh my GOD. Where did you come from?! You and your channel are truly GENIUS! You should WIN a NOVEL PRIZE . ASTONISHING INSECT WORK MY MAN. KEEP IT UP, FOR SURE. ANT LAB 🐜🐜🐜 AMAZING

[@davo4174]

Who would have thought that the story of casting ant nests in metal would be so interesting. You did

[@firstnlastnamethe3rd771]

Awesome interview! Awesome casts! 😲

[@IvanIvanov-ug5dc]

Marvelous! Thank you very much for your videos. I don't spend enough time watching viral videos and visiting etsy shops that's why I've got this knowledge straight from the inventor. He is an interesting "guy with all those metal casts".

[@etailewkowitz6294]

about the mystery formation , do you take under account the near by terrain, food/water source {possibly contaminated?} do you take radiation measures, temperature maybe..? how about excavating the queen {fermented fruit? } could be a good idea to, either interduce a queen to an existing nest or rather recrate a good old ant farm to check all of the above in a controlled environment . absolutely beautiful

[@Skull-in-the-house]

These nests and their complexity are fascinating I'm glad somebody thought to do this

[@idiotinasuit]

Congratulations on such a wonderful work of scientific communication. When research reaches out to the general public, science and scholarly knowledge become less of a monster. Also, congrats on keeping it complicated and not going for the easy KZbin game of dumbing everything down

[@tracybowling97]

Great story! Sweet guy!

[@whydowehavehandlesnow]

This is absolutely incredible

[@NamacilHDx]

Wonderful video not only In a scientific aspekt but also because of the story and personal part of it... great work!

[@ivymainhouse7865]

what scientific aspect? There is nothing scientific about it, its only showing visual representation of ant nests. Scientific content = Zero. ITs killing Ants, creating casts of their nests, and displaying the casts. Nothing scientific I learned by watching this video. Its just about a personal journey that this guy has followed all his life dedicating himself to make ant nests, beautiful, has it provided anything scientific? Nothing in this video, the guy even said he was met with many unanswered questions, which i found this whole thing a bit stupid really. Waste of time doing all this , killing ants and getting nothing back.

[@classicalroach]

Thank you for what you do

[@Martin-kb6hz]

Thank you a lot! It was amazing to know the story and the men behind it❤️

[@forevermarked5826]

I thought I hit subscribe when I watched some of your videos forever ago and figured you stopped uploading. But this was recommended so I just hit subscribe

[@Blahnik1182]

Adrian: Does Walter retain specimens from the sites in order to sequence the DNA of the colony? I wonder if colony-specific DNA mutations might result in certain characteristics of nests, such as the chaotic design seen in the video.

[@jessicakramer4643]

I remember watching carpenter ants dig in a tree and I wondered how far in they were, from seeing the sawdust pile.

[@jmm1398]

Excellent Work. keep up the good work.

[@ivymainhouse7865]

whats excellent in this?

[@jmm1398]

@@ivymainhouse7865 To make this video need searches, work had to get information, then editing the video & publicising to the public. Now what is it to you to be noisy?

[@ivymainhouse7865]

@@jmm1398 im not being noisy? this video and killing ants is a useless practise and i explain it very very well. Waste of time, i found zero scientific information, there was none provided in this video and destroying Ant nests is messing around the echological system of wild life. Those ants are food source for other animals and other animals are food source for us. U need to read about the natural habitats and how the ecosystem works before you comment and claim its for research. i found Zero information here. All i found is that they discovered they found zero info. Thats what they said, i dont think u watched the video carefully, you got fooled by thinking its for info. ZERO info they found. In fact they found out that they went backwards bec they had more questions to answer than when they started, did you get it?? Go to min 9:10 he says that!!!! They found ZERO info!!! God you people are so thick.

[@NowBeFree]

Fascinating! Thank you.

[@StewieJones3]

Very insightful! And very well shot!

[@ivymainhouse7865]

What is insightful ? Its visually fulfilling yes, u liked the casts i agree with u, but what insight did u get out of this? Pls share thanks.

[@StewieJones3]

@@ivymainhouse7865 gosh I was just being nice to the youtuber, no need to look deep into it

[@mikecappa1094]

More fantastic work. Every video from you is fun,educational, and inspiring. Thank you.

[@-beee-]

Wow, I had no idea this was such a new method! I guess I knew aluminum was relatively new, but wow. So much still to learn!

[@helwithe7914]

I wonder, if you study the ants in the nest before you cast the nest, would you find out more regarding why some are shaped so differently? I don't know a lot about ants, but that was a cool video!

[@gustavosuenaga]

Anyone else here from Daily Dose of Internet? I'm mad at myself for not knowing about this absolute gem of a channel earlier.

[@chrisvaiuso6010]

Yeah, DDI is good for uncovering great channels like this.

[@shiratikkas6780]

super découverte merci :)

[@badartgallery9322]

Great show!

[@FerniFF]

This was very cool!

[@beautifulsmall]

smelting and insects, nice work.

[@Eleora1997Msia]

nice...very detailed

[@evonnefenner7249]

0:47 He is so cool he doesn't need shoes to talk to you. YUPE... He is the coolest person ever. 🤓🦶

[@Hugllls1971]

If they dig down and then up, how does the molten metal find it's way up into hose cavities?

[@brianlindsay9097]

This is super interesting! Thank you!

[@anuradhar]

I went to Florida state for four years and never knew the little treasures hidden around campus

[@dude-jk2hn]

Fascinating man!

[@kmonnier]

Helical tunnels are stunning!

[@boatmantheman]

I want to be like this man when I grow older

Really cool!

[@xtins]

This man is a genius.

[@jjptech]

Bac at home we used to have leaf ant infestations almost every 2 to 3 years in the yards, they could span underground nests over 4 to 6 houses (maybe more) which is an area of around 25 by 25 meters, who knows how deep. I would love to see a metal cast of one of those giant nests, taking into account that leaf ants are giant insects, I bet that one of those casts could weigh a Ton or maybe more. There is a video of some guys pouring concrete on one of those giant nests, it’s very interesting

[@i.am.navkaur]

Super cool!!

[@ozzyg82]

I hope people aren’t doing this to live ant nests and are making sure the nests they’re pouring molten metal into aren’t inhabited.

[@Lucas43434]

Sadly they are doing it to live ant nests. There's no actual respect for the animals being displayed here.

[@ozzyg82]

@@Lucas43434 I don’t get why?

[@johnhasslinger1779]

@@ozzyg82 why not?

[@bluecat5669]

@@AB-wf8ek but we need food, we don’t need metal ant graveyards

[@johnhasslinger1779]

@@AB-wf8ek so what?

[@korayyy440]

Are those abandoned nests or you guys just pour hellfire to simulate apocalypse for the ants?

[@noahnorman5109]

Those are live colonies.

[@korayyy440]

@@noahnorman5109 D:

[@Chad_Darwin]

@@noahnorman5109 oh i thought they are abandoned

[@noahnorman5109]

@@Chad_Darwin when they do this they want to see the architecture of the nest as well as try to get an idea of the colony size. Which you won't be able to do well if the nest is abandoned, the tunnels won't be maintained and could be collapsed. Sometimes they will do it right after a colony abandons a nest, that way they know it's still intact.

[@ivymainhouse7865]

not really, its just bunch of humans killing for their pleasure, just so they satisfy their hunger to view whats underneath, waste of time and shame about those ants tbh...humans are weird for sure. I couldnt find nothing scientific in this video, nothing. Its all about killing ants, destroying their habitats then putting their destroyed nests on display, sad human behaviour.

[@thekrampuselbananoquevivee9947]

I don't understand why do I find this interesting, but I do

[@akaFullest]

Very interesting never would have thought of anything like this 😁 im gonna definitely trys this myself

[@luca__3044]

i just wonder.. do u do it with empty nests.. because if not.. that would be quite harsh :c

[@billmccaffrey1977]

If you can find enough aluminum, my property has been invaded by the Texas leaf cutter ants. Texas AM estimates these beds can be over 20 ft deep and 400 ft across. There are stories of people trying to dig up these beds with a backhoe and had to give up because they could find the end of the nest. These ants are impossible to get rid of or control.

[@ryuuguu01]

Have these casts been digitized? It would be great to allow more researchers ( citizen scientists) to have access to these.

[@ValiantGarton]

Just a few quibbles. Walter did not invent Ant Nest Architecture. I think ants should get the credit for that. And speaking of credit. It would have been nice if he had given credit to David F. Williams and Clifford S. Lofgren. Considering they wrote the paper that he took the idea from. They at least had the decency in their paper, to credit the many who had pioneered casting the nests of ground dwelling insects decades prior to their paper. Walter says he doesn't like the limelight, I think he has definitely got a taste for it.

[@dns0095]

I hope you guys make the ants leave first before pouring the aluminum

[@shitpostingsandwhich]

The host looks like an ant scientist if I've ever seen one

[@7stringst3r]

No ants were harmed during the filming of this episode

[@ivymainhouse7865]

yes just human brains....

[@kt6332]

So cool!

[@myrmecofourmis]

Really cool thanks !

[@pbjandahighfive]

Cool, but does anyone else feel bad about the thousands to tens of thousands of ants that get murdered to make these casts?

[@3mileshi]

No

[@imd5096]

Who cares they’re bugs!

[@pbjandahighfive]

@@imd5096 Without bugs humanity in its entirety would die off. Bugs, whether you like them are not, are integral to the health of the planet. Bugs make the soil capable of bearing crops. Bugs break down dead organic matter and detritus. Without bugs you literally would not exist.

[@Yamaneko81]

7:10 and if you listen close you can hear the screams of thousands of ants dying in agony

[@aleisterlavey9716]

Death screams of inferiour creatures are music to my ears. You'll excuse me, I'll have to go and relax to the soothing sounds of pandas and puppies strangled to death. 😂🤣🤣😅

[@bluecat5669]

@@aleisterlavey9716 ok buddy 👍

[@CCSABCD]

Plot twist: he's actually a psycho that just wants to boil ants

[@rekhagiribabu7113]

No

[@EvilOverlord1662]

No

[@lispy5174]

No

[@Fiech00]

This popped up on my subscriptions and I was a tad confused. And then I realized I subscribed to you thanks to the ZeFrank video. These ant metal casts are really interesting and I'd love to learn more about the taxonomy studies you could do with these. Also a not so serious question: There is a game called Empires of the Undergrowth, which is basically like Dungeon Keeper but with ants. Do you know it? What do you think of it? Imho, it has quite a few interesting facts and things about ants in there. But alas, currently no 3D hive building... But maybe you'd like it anyways.

[@AntLab]

Nice! I have heard of that, they talked to me about sponsoring a video at one point. But, I haven’t played video games since playstation 1. So, I am totally out of that loop.

[@Fiech00]

@@AntLab Funny that they already contacted you. I don't know about a sponsoring, but if you get the chance, maybe give it a try, it's quite fun, in my opinion. A bit contrived with on-the-fly evolution/unlocks of different sub-classes of ants, but I guess this is for game play reasons. I for one found it very enthralling to have this hive-like approach to RTS with a bit of learning on the side.

[@evonnefenner7249]

6:55 That's what I would say when my baby momma kisses me in my NoNo place after we argue about nothing important at all.

[@jeremynorris754]

*No ants were harmed in the making of this video.

[@raphlvlogs271]

should you cool down the castings with urine?

[@KirkCedrick]

I've always wondered what happens to the ants.

[@bluecat5669]

😵

[@ivymainhouse7865]

The ants are inside the casts, dead, waiting to hear about the scientific research resutls behing this stupid practise that has no meaning other than destroying ant nests and killing everyone. Simply silly.

[@mehditeimoori]

Does anyone think about those ants in the anthills, when they die by molten aluminum?! Everybody can see its beauty, not its sadness.

[@snowfall8845]

He needs to come to Australia 🇦🇺 ants 🐜 are everywhere down here

[@khills]

There are some great folks on KZbin doing ant castings in Oz-if you search on meat ant castings, you should find them. HUGE, need winches and a truck size castings!

[@danurkresnamurti3598]

no ants harm in the making of the process this video

[@realchristopher4334]

Incredible!

[@afhdfh]

What about the ants living in the nests? Are they collaterar or were the nests abandoned?

[@antsplann]

I'm afraid they're dying 'for the sake of science'😔.. I'm not agree with this method, but I can reach to understand some purpose on it Otherwise I'm worried about this tendency of non-professional people casting ant nests without any scientific purpose, illegally, only for personal benefit They call it art now.. it is environmental damage, and disrespect to other species

[@ivymainhouse7865]

@@antsplann im even more afraid bec there was nothing scientific about this, so if your worried about non-pro people casting ant nests i havent seen anything pro about this guy either, nothing useful was provided in this video other than showing visual representation and he even admitted twice saying he has more unanswered questions lol its all a waste of beautifully made nests that got simply destroyed.

[@dr.zoidberg5096]

A shopvac with a battery would be amazing for excavation.

[@davidboyle1902]

I'd love to do this the the carpenter ant nest near my house, if I knew where it was. Kind of hilarious that people are concerned about toasting a few thousand ants where the world numbers are very likely in the trillions.

[@jegolan]

Engineers, could you make something involving ultrasound and 3D printers so millions of forest ants don't have to die? You can do it as a science project.

[@hermanrobak1285]

Yeah, I pity the ants. However, I don't think soil conducts ultrasound uniformly enough for good imaging. Any ground penetrating scanning tech I have read about has had underwhelming ability to resolve small details.

[@carlosandleon]

we had to get rid of them growing up, this is far more practical

[@selfstudypk]

No 🐜 were harmed during this filming.

[@laneyh2121]

Cool looking..Poor ants

[@davidniquot6423]

Are they killing ants or doing it on abandonned nest ?

[@lknanml]

Barefoot interview. Love it..LOL

[@mariawood5784]

Em, this is bizarre. Killing ants continuously because you are curious. What kind of person thinks this is ok?

[@jacobmeleciox8707]

Soooooo nobody is gonna mention scorching a colony of innocent ants???

[@ElderGod4]

Well , depends what you understand by innocent

[@Wertyhappy27]

would. e interesting to see ants making nests under effects of different chemicals and such, how long do the colonies keep order till they become a mess

[@snow1-2pinkkush46]

Does this guys got a youtube channel ?

[@childofcascadia]

I made it 50 seconds in before going to buy the book.

[@ivymainhouse7865]

pls share with us if u find anything useful in the book, as this video showed zero information about science, it was only about pouring molten lava and killing ants alive. Which is a shame bec ok i understand u need many casting to enjoy the different shapes, but how many do u need to find what info? Nothing was found so far.

[@CesareVesdani]

Why is this called ant lab?

[@gayanms]

No ants were harmed making this video :)