Crossing a track was a thick black ribbon: thousands of safari ants on the march, looking for a new nest site.
Jef lay down to get a better look at their massive heads and pincer-like mandibles, managing a couple of frames at a time before leaping away in pain as some came close enough to nip. Colonies of safari ants contain millions of individuals. If food supplies get low, they will leave their anthill, forming long travelling columns as they search for a new home. Larger soldier ants stay along the flanks, rearing up aggressively to protect the smaller worker ants in the centre.
Belgium/the Netherlands
Jef is a biology student in the Netherlands, mainly focusing on marine ecology and conservation. Sports, travelling and photography are some of his main hobbies. He was introduced to photography by his father, who taught him everything he knew from a young age. As he’s very interested in marine biology, Jef is honoured to be able to contribute to raising awareness for our oceans.
Help us harness the power of photography to advance scientific knowledge, spread awareness of important issues and nurture a global love for nature.
