Researchers have made the most in-depth estimate yet of the world’s ant population. The total number of these resourceful insects was estimated to be 20 quadrillion. A quadrillion is expressed with a one, followed by 15 zeros. The estimate means that there are about 2.5 million ants on Earth for every human. Ants have been on the planet since the dinosaur age. The oldest-known ant fossil dates back about 100 million years to the Cretaceous Period. There are more than 12,000 known species of ants. Generally, the insects are black, brown or red, with bodies divided into three parts. They range in size from about 1 millimeter to 3 centimeters long. They like living in soil and attaching themselves to plants.
Which of the following is a definition of the word fossil?
the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock
moving or capable of moving at high speed
either of two small masses of lymphoid tissue in the throat, one on each side of the root of the tongue
a period of two weeks
How many zeros are in a quadrillion?
15
16
13
25
There are more than 12,000 known species of ants.
species
specials
spleens
spectacles