Yes, baby ants are indeed real. They exist as larvae within the ant colony. These larvae are fed by worker ants until they develop into pupae and eventually mature into adult ants.
Here's a more detailed look at the development stages:
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Eggs: The ant life cycle begins with eggs laid by the queen ant.
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Larvae: Once the eggs hatch, the larvae emerge. These larvae are essentially "sacks with a mouth," as described in the reference, and are completely dependent on worker ants for food. Worker ants bring food, often including partially digested solid meals, to the larvae.
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Pupae: After several molts, the larvae enter the pupal stage. During this stage, they develop into their adult form within a cocoon (in some species).
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Adults: Finally, the pupae emerge as adult ants, ready to take on their roles within the colony.
So, the "baby ants" you might be curious about are the larvae within an ant colony, receiving nourishment and growing into their adult forms.
