The document is about exploding ants. It explains that certain species of ants will explode and spray a harmful liquid from their abdomens when threatened as a defense mechanism. This explosion enables the ants to spray their enemies and deter predators, despite being individually small and scarce. The document is an expository non-fiction text that aims to inform readers about unusual insect behaviors like exploding ants and how adaptations help insects survive.

1. EXPLODING ANTS
By Joanne Settel, Ph.D
Page. 440
EXPOSITORY NON FICTION: explains what certain things are and how
they cane to be or behave. As you read, notice how the author explains
insect behavior.
VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. enables : gives ability; power or means to; able to
2. scarce: hard to get; rare
3. specialize: to develop in a special way
4. critical: being important to the outcome of a situation
5. mucus: a slimy substance produced in the nose and throat to
moisten and protect them.
6. sterile: free from germs
FILL IN THE BLANKS:
1. You should use _____________ jars and lids if you can your own
food.
2. My parents feel it is _____________ that I do my best in school.
3. When you have a cold, your nose can become full of __________.
4. Doctors __________in different areas of medical practice.
5. Water is _____________in the desert, so you should carry plent of
water if you go hiking.

2. 6. My mom _________ my grandma to go grocery shopping by
driving her to the store.
II. COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS: Math each question to its answer.
1. Why is it important for species to specialize in where they live or
what they eat? ____
2. What to Camponotus ants and Globitermes sulfurous termites
have in common? ______
3. Why is adaptation important for all animal species, not just
insects. ______
4. What causes owls to spit up pellets? _______
5. The suthor’s main purpose with this selection is to inform. What
additional purpose does she have. _______
6. Why can a snake eat large prey whole? _______
ANSWERS:
a) These ants when threatened, both burst open and spray a
harmful liquid on their opponents.
b) Adaptation is important to all animals’survival. Specialized
features help animals avoid predators, find food, and build
shelters.
c) It allows them to survive. If they all ate the same thing, or lived in
the same place, some species wouldn’t be able to survive.
d) The owl swallows its prey whole. It digests the soft, nutritious
parts and it spits up the rest as waste, in the form of pellets.

3. e) A snake’s jaw can open very wide.