The Saharan silver ant lives in one of the hottest locations on the planet. It has silvery hairs and other design elements that allow it to withstand temperatures up to 128 degrees Fahrenheit. They only have a window of 10 mins a day to get food: between when it’s so hot their predators take shelter so they don’t die…and before it’s gets so hot the ants will die. It’s said they are so shiny and move so fast they look like mercury spilling onto the sand. It’s miraculous to me that their species survives. But they are resilient, and with their unique design they can cope and thrive in one of the most inhospitable environments. I paired the image of these ants with a portrait to remind us that we as human beings are also equipped with remarkable means to endure and overcome hardships.
All images © Holly M. Graham 2019