What is the Trap-Jaw Ant?
The trap-jaw ant is a unique member of the animal kingdom. Despite their small size, the ants have incredibly strong jaws which are capable of snapping shut in much less time that it takes to blink an eye. The ants use their mandibles, which are permanently held open, like multi-purpose tools for a variety of functions. This unique trait has made the trap-jaw ant a topic of interest for scientists in several disciplines, since replicating it may prove useful for things like robots. Generally, all ants in the genus Odontomachus are considered trap-jaw ants. One species in particular, O. bauri, is particularly renowned for its fast moving jaws, and it has a wider range than other species since it is more tolerant to weather extremes. The entire genus is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, living in colonies like other ants. The ants are rather large when compared to other ants, and they also live a highly predatory lifestyle.
