What is the reason behind red and black ants fighting?

Question

Growing up, I always witnessed black and red ants fighting each other. And I always questioned why they did so, but no one held an answer. If they both survive to pursue the same basic functions, why do they choose to kill each other? Why do they simply not work together to achieve the same goal?

What makes them fight? What is the reward? And what is reasoning behind their attitudes towards each other?

Answer 1

figure that out and mankind needs it too.

Answer 2

A while ago I was watching something about ants and found that they ID their own by the scent they emit or something like that.

Basically, we all know life in nature is tough. If ants come in contact with other ants from another colony, they will see them as a threat. Like competition for resources etc..Some ants are known to raid and/or take over other ant's colonies so it could be a threat against the colony and queen itself. So they fight.

Unfortunately I am not an insect expert but I suggest maybe getting hold of someone who is at a school or university. Maybe they can give you a deeper explanation. If it's too inconvenient maybe you can just send an email to the expert at a local university or college.

;)

Answer 3

their gullable?

Answer 4

well, as you say, they survive to pursue the same basic functions, ie the survival of their colony.  both occupy very similar ecological niches and thus must compete for resources.  sometimes species adapt so that they don't fill the same niche, but often there is fighting for resources and territory, as well as for perceived threats by another group.  this can easily be applied to ants as well many other species

Answer 5

... Did you honestly just ask that? Think about wars between humans. It's their natural instinct to fight each other.