In Antstore Berlin, experiments are conducted

Antstore Berlin is embarking on an exciting series of experiments aimed at capturing the almost inaudible sounds of ant footsteps. These experiments are being conducted by the Ants Documentary YouTube channel, directed by Boris Krompholtz. 

“I’ve always been fascinated by the world of ants and how they communicate,” Boris shared. “This project allows us to explore a new dimension of their lives through sound.”

Boris revealed that Janik Wiedemann, a dedicated ant enthusiast working for Antstore, is assisting to organize these experiments. “Janik’s experience with ants is invaluable,” Boris said. “Together with Ruben Bass, a sound specialist and artist, we’re equipped to dive deep into this exploration.”

The core of their setup is the Allsounder microphone, a sophisticated device designed for ecoacoustic recording, capable of picking up the faintest of sounds from natural environments. “The Allsounder is incredible,” Boris explained. “It transforms mechanical stress into electrical signals and then into sounds, allowing us to hear the tiniest of ant sounds.”

The Goal of the Experiments

The primary aim of these experiments is to gain a deeper understanding of ant behavior through their sounds. “We want to know how ants communicate and interact with their environment,” Boris stated. “For instance, we discovered that Oecophylla ants, also known as weaver ants, are among the most discreet species when it comes to sound production. Despite their larger size and weight, these ants are more silent than many smaller species, maybe due to the unique shape of their feet. This adaptation could be practical for hunting or escaping predators, and it may also be because Oecophylla smaragdina ants often walk on silk.”

Experimentation Insights

Another interesting finding from their experiments was that capturing the ants’ footsteps was most natural on cardboard rather than aluminum foil. “Although aluminum foil is highly efficient in conducting sound, cardboard provides a more natural setting for the ants and the steps sound more like in nature,” Boris pointed out. “This leads to more accurate recordings of their movements.”

Conclusions and Future Plans

In conclusion, Boris emphasized that there are many more sound experiments to be conducted to uncover the mysteries of ant communication and behavior. “We’ve only scratched the surface,” he remarked. “The journey of discovering the hidden symphonies of ants has just begun, and there is much more to explore.”

Video of the Experimentations

For a closer look at these fascinating experiments and to hear the footsteps of ants, watch the video below:

Stay tuned for more insights and discoveries as we continue this intriguing journey into the world of ants, brought to you by Antstore Berlin and their “team of researchers”.