Bullet Ant

rainforest · extreme pain · South America · insects

Named for its sting. The bullet ant got its name because its sting feels like being shot, making it one of the most painful insect bites in the world. Scientists rate its pain as off the charts.

Rainforest dweller. Bullet ants live in humid lowland rainforests throughout Central and South America, hanging out in trees and on the forest floor where it's warm and wet.

Long lasting pain. When a bullet ant stings you, the pain can last for 12 to 24 hours straight, making it way more intense and longer than most other insect stings.

Red and black coloring. Bullet ants are large ants with shiny red and black bodies that make them stand out in the rainforest, warning other animals to stay away.

Defense mechanism. The bullet ant only stings when it feels threatened or when defending its colony, using its powerful sting as protection against predators.