Trap-Jaw Ants in Arizona

Hat tip to Bug Girl for a great new resource: Tree of Life Podcasts! Perusing the list of awesome, yet highly educational, videos I came across this one about Arizona's very own species of trap-jaw ant, Odontomachus clarus. Trap-jaw ants are very interesting because they quite possibly are the record holders for the fastest movement in the animal kingdom! O. clarus is even more remarkable for being able to pull back its mandible 180 degrees. The movie itself is worth watching for the defensive bouncer and escape jumps. Enjoy!