Normally the ants around here aren’t much to look at. They crawl out of holes in the ground, go get stuff to eat, and then crawl back in.
There are different colors and sizes of ants, but usually the most important thing to know about ants is that some of them bite.
Don’t get close enough to tempt the ants to crawl on you.
But something changes when it rains around here. The ants get really creative.
They seem to be in competition to see which group of ants can build the best entrance to their house.
I thought I’d post some of the entries so you can decide which one is your favorite.
I think these ants were trying to see how tall they could get their entrance.
But for those ants who might not be able to climb quite so high to get in, these ants created a side door.
Here we have a moat around the entrance. All ready to fill with water. These ants might have cheated though. I’m not sure they created that moat all by themselves.
Now this is getting creative. A funnel entrance. The ants must have to walk in ever descending circles to enter this house.
If the ants ever drag home a giant key they’ll be able to get in here.
And if you want to be a little different you can change up the color and rest your entrance against a rock.
Maybe I ought to taste this one. It looks like they mixed sugar into the dirt.
These ants weren’t taking any chances. If they miss the first entrance, the second one will work for sure.
But this one has got to be my all time favorite.
The pig snout entrance.
I wonder if this little guy gets extra points if he can drop this juniper berry down the most difficult hole.
bongodogblog 
agatapokutycka
August 15, 2013 at 10:37 am
Wow, these are so pretty… like art of some sort…
I like double hole one, looks like piggy nose 🙂
Bongo
August 15, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Agata, most people just think of ants as a problem, but they sure can be creative when they want to.
misswhiplash
August 15, 2013 at 10:40 am
Wow…l also like the piggy nose one but it also looks like an owl, s face…….what does a Bongohole look like xxxxxxc
Bongo
August 15, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Patrecia, a Bongohole looks like a hole filled with treats.
misswhiplash
August 17, 2013 at 1:42 am
we get Benji holes but they are usually big dirt holes in my garden….is that the same thing???
Bongo
August 18, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Put some treats in those holes for Benji. Then they will be the same thing – and Benji will love you.
misswhiplash
August 15, 2013 at 10:42 am
Just another thought..having two exits is good for security in case of a quick getaway
Bongo
August 15, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Patrecia, you might be right. An anteater could show up and block one of the holes. Wait a minute – we don’t have anteaters here.
misswhiplash
August 17, 2013 at 1:41 am
seems that anteaters are missing a good meal then
marina kanavaki
August 15, 2013 at 11:27 am
Well spotted, Bongo! It is definitely a pig snout!! 🙂
I love your observations!
🙂
Bongo
August 15, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Thanks Marina. It might be a javelina though – which looks kind of like a pig. Those ants would have seen javelinas, but I bet they haven’t seen any pigs.
Patricia
August 15, 2013 at 11:31 am
Ants are hard workers and quite creative.
Bongo
August 15, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Patricia, it’s amazing how creative those ants can be when they put their minds to it.
Kuruk
August 15, 2013 at 11:37 am
Wow, so coooowoooowoooool!
Bongo
August 15, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Thanks Ku. Maybe I should write an ant Haiku.
onebluedog
August 15, 2013 at 3:23 pm
That pig nose is definitely my most favorite – I love it!! 😀
Bongo
August 15, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Remy, I think that pig nose is really cool too. Those ants can be so creative.
Genevieve Petrillo
August 15, 2013 at 4:11 pm
I never saw so many ant holes in my whole life! I saw some ants on a McDonald’s apple pie this morning. It’s not the same thing…..
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Bongo
August 15, 2013 at 8:45 pm
Cupcake, ants on food are definitely not the same. I prefer my trail ants. They’re very creative and they don’t steal my food.
To Shea
August 15, 2013 at 4:20 pm
Yes, We like the pig snout ant hill the best too…:-)
Arent those little ants creative!!!
Bongo
August 15, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Alex, Trish, and Penny, it’s amazing how creative those tiny little things can be.
To Shea
August 16, 2013 at 4:40 am
They sure ARE…Woof Woof from Penny!.. 🙂
Mags Corner
August 15, 2013 at 6:13 pm
Those are some amazing ant hills. That is one huge load that little ant is carrying…amazing little creatures we must say. Hugs and nose kisses
Bongo
August 15, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Chancy and Mag, it was kind of fun watching that little ant try to move that juniper berry. The ant was really struggling, but was being so persistent. Hugs and nose kisses back to you.
Two French Bulldogs
August 15, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Those ants are very talented
Snorts,
Benny & Lily
Bongo
August 15, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Benny & Lily, sometimes I wish I was as talented as an ant, but I don’t think I’d want to live down a dark hole.
BZ Dogs
August 16, 2013 at 12:45 am
Love them all, but the pig snout cracked me up 🙂
Bongo
August 16, 2013 at 12:14 pm
BZ, I thought that pig snout was pretty cool, too. Those ants are so creative.
Dalton
August 16, 2013 at 1:07 am
The pug snout has to be the best, but I have never realised how arty ants are!
Bongo
August 16, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Dalton, those ants don’t do much most of the year, but when they get the right materials to work with they really go to town.
eripanwkevin
August 16, 2013 at 7:33 am
I like the pig snout entrance!!! Never seen it before and very cute and funny!!!! I think that the ants who made it are really artists! 🙂
Bongo
August 16, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Kevin, there are lots of artists where I live, so I guess it makes sense that the ants here would be artists too.
kolytyi
August 16, 2013 at 10:24 am
I had no idea that Ant Art is such a refined and sophisticated thing! You are a connisseur of fine arts on your trails!
Bongo
August 16, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Kolytyi, I think those ants must have taken lessons from one of the artists in town.
jaxart4animals
August 16, 2013 at 11:09 am
I love the pig snout hill 🙂
Bongo
August 16, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Jackie, I think those ants were really going to town with that one.
Bassa's Blog
August 17, 2013 at 1:55 am
The pictures are so cool! The second from last one looks exactly like a pig’s snout! 🙂
Bongo
August 18, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Thanks Bassa. What a great compliment from someone who always has such great pictures.
angelswhisper2011
August 19, 2013 at 5:18 am
MOL MOL MOL The pig’s nose is so funny.. we didn’t expect something like that, Bongo 😀
Bongo
August 19, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Little Binky, I think I have the most creative ants in the world right on my trails.