Ants communicate through pheromones (FEHR-uh-moanz), which are chemical scents. An ant “lays down” scents from glands in its body to communicate the colony it belongs to, its role in the colony, the location of food sources, and more. Another ant can detect these scents, and scents in the air, with its antennae.

Ants don’t have good vision, so very little communication is through sight. They don’t have ears, but they are very sensitive to vibrations through receptors in their legs. And they can make “warning” chirps by rubbing together body parts as grasshoppers do.