The antlion is a seriously ferocious predator. These fearsome creatures bury themselves in the sand, at the bottom of a pit with sloped sides, waiting for you to stumble by. If you start to slip into its trap, the antlion will hurl sand at you until you slide helplessly into its gaping jaws, which will drag you under the surface, kicking and screaming, at which point you will be drained of your body fluids. Not a nice way to go.
Fortunately, if you’re larger than an earwig, you’ve got nothing to worry about. So celebrate the fact that you can walk in sandy areas without fear by visiting The Antlion Pit.
Here you’ll be able to read-up on antlion behaviour and general biology, as well as see movies of antlions at work building pits and consuming small insects. The author has also comprehensively researched the appearance of antlions in human culture - from ancient Navajo mythology to the antlion-inspired “Sarlacc Pit” in the film “Return of the Jedi”.
If the site’s vast amount of info still isn’t enough, the Educational Resources section includes a good set of links, as well as recommended books on antlions. And if you want to see them for yourself, there’s a list of places around the world where antlions can be found. The only antlion colonies in the UK are on the Suffolk coast, so keep your eyes peeled if you head to places like Dunwich Heath. Especially if you’re an ant.