Why do Some Ants Live in Thorn Bushes?

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To keep plant-eating animals away, the whistling thorn bush has an armoury of sharp thorns. However, it is a home to virulent ants which keep off plant eating insects. They live in large swollen bulbs that develop at the bases of thorns. They attack in hordes by biting and stinging if any browsing animal dares to venture near the plant to try and eat leaves. They also keep a check on caterpillars, aphids and other plant eating animals and are, in return, rewarded by the plant. They feed upon the fruits growing on leaf tips and also get a sugary drink from the leafstalks.

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