hungry peacocks are no match for nest of aggressive fire ants

India is home to an incredible variety of wild animals, including the peacock, one of the most spectacular birds found anywhere. They are large and beautifully adorned with the longest feathers found anywhere. The Indian peafowl will eat snakes and rodents, but its diet is largely made up of insects. These peafowl have found a nest of ants and they hungrily devour as many as they can.

But the ants have signaled that there is trouble and the excretion of a pheromone from a few have alerted the others and brought them out in an agitated frenzy. They will bite anything that they sense is a threat and the peacocks suddenly find themselves in over their heads. The swarm of fire ants on the ground is visible as they move rapidly, in search of any predator. Their great numbers allow them to overwhelm even a large predator with multiple stings and strong venom.

If these peacocks do not leave the area, they can easily die from the venom. In such a case, the ants will devour the peacocks, turning the tables.

The male has sensed the presence of the ants and he tries to eat them off his feet and legs as they sting him aggressively. The female decides there is no hope of winning and she takes flight almost immediately. Eventually, the male leaves as well. The fire ants cannot follow him far, but the few that remain on his legs will hold on and sting him mercilessly until he rids himself of the tiny warriors.

Imported red fire ants are an invasive species to India, having made their way from South America. The stings cause itching, burning, and swelling, often resulting in blisters. In rare cases anaphylactic shock can occur and may cause death. Nests hold between 100,000 and 250,000 ants and they are a formidable opponent for any animal.