Large Pugnacious Ant Anoplolepis custodiens

Here's a paradox: this ant is known for being aggressive and territorial, yet it doesn't attack ants from other colonies of its own species—a rare behavior in the ant world. Individual ants come in a surprising range of colors and sizes, making identification tricky in the field.

Found across dry and cultivated areas in central and southern Africa, these ants are important enough prey that specialized predators like pangolins and aardvarks have come to depend on them.