Ant species you actually didn’t know about

With over 14,000 known species, ants are among the most diverse insects on Earth. While most people are familiar with black or red ants, some species have evolved extraordinary appearances, bizarre hunting techniques, and remarkable survival strategies. Here are six rare and fascinating ants you may have never heard of. (unsplash)

Dinosaur Ant: Thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in Australia in 1977, the dinosaur ant has changed very little over millions of years. Its solitary hunting behaviour and ancient characteristics have earned it the title of a "living fossil." (wikimedia commons)

Dracula Ant: Named for its unusual feeding habit, the Dracula ant doesn't kill its larvae—instead, adults gently pierce them to drink nutrient-rich hemolymph ("insect blood"), allowing the larvae to survive. Found in parts of Asia, it is considered one of the world's most unusual ant species. (wikimedia commons)

Malaysian Exploding Ant: Native to Southeast Asia, this ant has an extraordinary defence mechanism. When threatened, workers can rupture their own bodies, releasing a sticky, toxic yellow secretion that immobilises enemies, an act of ultimate self-sacrifice for the colony. (wikimedia commons)

Martialis heureka: Discovered in Brazil in 2008, Martialis heureka is so rare that it represents its own subfamily. Blind, pale, and living entirely underground, it is regarded as one of the most primitive living ant lineages known to science. (wikimedia commons)

Trap-Jaw Ant: This remarkable ant possesses lightning fast mandibles that snap shut at speeds of up to 230 km/h (143 mph). It uses them to capture prey and even to launch itself into the air to escape predators. (wikimedia commons)

Turtle Ant: Native to Southeast Asia, this ant has an extraordinary defence mechanism. When threatened, workers can rupture their own bodies, releasing a sticky, toxic yellow secretion that immobilises enemies, an act of ultimate self sacrifice for the colony. (wikimedia commons)