Trap-jaw ants (Odontomachus) · Odontomachus
Odontomachus monticola
Odontomachus monticola
A carnivorous species of the primary forest floor, armed with one of the fastest trap-jaws in the animal kingdom. Trigger hairs fire a nerve signal that snaps the mandibles shut, and combined with the head's tremendous bite force this lets it catch small prey. Beyond snapping shut to capture prey, these remarkable jaws can also be slammed against the ground to catapult the ant away from danger.
