Cataglyphis bicolor

The Sahara desert ant, Cataglyphis bicolor, is an insect species found in the Sahara Desert. These ants are highly adapted to extreme heat, capable of tolerating surface temperatures of 60°C (140°F) or higher for short periods. They have long legs that help them move quickly and keep their bodies elevated above the hot ground as they search for food, primarily dead insects.1

Due to the intense heat, Sahara desert ants cannot rely on pheromone trails to navigate back to their nests, as the scent markers would evaporate too quickly. Instead, they use a combination of visual cues, polarized light as a compass, and a sense called proprioception to measure the distance traveled by counting their steps. Like other ant species, they live in colonies with queens, males, and workers, each with specific roles.1