News and Stories

Calling all insect lovers! The World of the Insect at the Cincinnati Zoo has something new and exciting to show you—a second leaf-cutter ant colony! 🐜✨ Located closer to the entrance of the building, this fun new habitat gives visitors a rare behind-the-scenes peek at how these fascinating ants are cared for, while offering a fresh perspective on their amazing behaviors.

So, what makes this new home so special? First, it’s designed to replicate the environment leaf-cutter ants love, and with that in mind, the bottom of the habitat and the nesting boxes are lined with hydrostone, which helps maintain the perfect humidity levels that the ants need to thrive. This clever setup has already paid off—the ants have absolutely loved their new space! In fact, they’ve started growing new fungus gardens in the tube connecting the two parts of their habitat—plus, they’ve even started cultivating fungus right on the Hydrostone floor, out in the open! 🌱🍄 How cool is that?

The best part? The way the habitat is lit and positioned at just the right height makes it easier than ever for visitors to see the ants in action. Whether you’re watching them work together to harvest leaves or tending to their fungus gardens, the new setup offers a fantastic view of all the intricate processes that go into keeping this colony thriving. Huge shoutout to their keeper Kelli Walker for all the amazing care she provides our leaf-cutter colonies and for setting up this awesome new habitat!

And don’t worry—you can still visit our huge, world-class leaf-cutter ant exhibit just around the corner to see these fascinating creatures on an even larger scale!

So next time you stop by the World of the Insect be sure to check out this brand-new leaf-cutter ant habitat. It’s a fun, fascinating, and interactive way to learn more about these incredible insects and the science behind their care.

See you soon in the World of the Insect, where the wonders of the insect world come to life! 🐜🌿