Abstract
The mound shape, entrance hole direction, and mound temperature of Pogonomyrmex occidentalis were evaluated in southern Utah, to determine if ants might shape their mounds to preferentially absorb morning sunlight. As predicted, the south- and east-facing slopes were significantly shallower (by approximately 4 degrees) than the north- and west-facing slopes. Entrance holes were found on the southeast side of the mounds 83% of the time. In the morning, east-facing mound slopes were found to warm significantly faster than west-facing mound slopes and off-mound temperatures that were sunlit or shaded. By the afternoon there were no significant differences in temperature among the sides of a mound. These results support the hypothesis that P occidentalis actively shape their mounds to take advantage of the heat from the morning sun.
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