Sadly, this post is exactly what it seems, not a mere figure of speech (what would “licking an ant’s butt” mean figuratively anyway, you think?). While on Fitzroy Island in Australia last week, our intrepid outdoor guide Jeff helped us brave the wilds of the Aussie rainforest (or rather the 10-minute trek to Nudey Beach). Along the way, we got the wildlife 411 when he spotted a green ant picked it up and put it to his mouth. You have got to be joking me. I figured this was merely a stunt to entice tourists to do Fear Factor-like things. Or not. Jeff continued to eat whatever the green bulb-like was hanging off its rear.
Traditionally, the green ant (also called the weaver ant) was used by the Aborigines: they boiled them in mass quantity, then crushed them into their chests to cure colds and respiratory infections. Much of the ants’ diet consists of honeydew excretions from trees and other small insects, meaning they’re safe for human consumption. Still, doesn’t mean I want its tiny bum upon my lips.
Now, I’m not so keen on bugs of any kind—particularly as I complete armies of various kinds of ants as roommates on both Lizard and Fitzroy Islands—but I’m also extremely competitive when it comes to anything. So despite my girlie fear of all things creepy-crawly, when Stephanie took the plunge and licked the ant butt, I had to take the plunge and lick the ant butt, too. Sigh. Bridge, jump, you know how it goes. Ironically enough, this from the girl who refuses to eat seafood because it’s too slimy.
Licking an Ant's Butt…No Really from Kristin @ CamelsAndChocolate.com on Vimeo.
And surprisingly? It wasn’t bad. Rather, it tasted like a citrus-y candy, comparable to a Lemon Drop or the center filling of a Warhead. Though I think it stings your lip slightly when doing so (or else my ant was just particularly not fond of me), as both Jennifer and I suffered a subtle numbness of the tongue for 10 minutes or so following our snack. After viewing that video, I feel slightly ashamed of being such a…well…girl. Barb and the others remarked that I’m not really like that prissy in real life, just so you know, but something about when you stick a camera in my face and ant ass on my tongue, I turn into that girl (not that Woo Girl, but still). Some more non-insect images from Fitzroy to follow, because I’m sure that’s what you guys really want to see.
Awesome!
Those photos are beautiful! I want your job! Even if it involves eating ants.
I’m kinda glad I opted out of this hike otherwise I would have succumbed to peer pressure and become a Woo Girl as well.
I did it in 1996 sooo not too wierd and I’d do it again!
I’m surprised that you could TASTE it. Ant butts are typically so small that I can’t imagine its taste registering. On the other hand it might be really potent, and that’s why they’re so popular with the natives.
By the way, your pics look amazing. My favorite is the one with the coral cays overlooking the beach.
Wow, that place looks amazing. We almost went to New Zealand instead of the UK for our vacation, but RCI screwed us over royally. And mad props on the pictures. They turned out awesome. We’re planning on getting that 50mm lens sometime soon.
I’m just impressed you can taste such a small target.
I have said it before, but I will say it again: PLEASE TRADE ME LIVES FOR A WEEK.
I’m so proud to say I know a girl who’s licked an ant’s butt.
“the number one thing to do in Australia, the moment you get off the plane”. That’s utterly hilarious.
My god, those pictures are beautiful! Is that beach completely made of coral? Also, you totally impressed me with licking the ant butt! Jon and I did a zip line in Belize once and when we passed by a termite mound on the way to our starting point, our guide was giving everyone tastes of the termites. I was too chicken to partake!
Good for you! I on the other hand would have booted it back to the airport and thanked heebus I live in a place where it is too cold for anything to live.
I would however, stop at that beach and smuggle a bunch of those cool rocks/wood/whatever that is home.
What is the beach covered with? Little rocks?
Great pics! You’re indeed braver than me for putting an insect in your mouth! I could’ve sworn that something flew into my mouth yesterday on a roller coaster and would’ve jumped outta my seat if I wasn’t buckled in!
Those rocks! Look a bit like bones, yes? Because I sort of freaked out for a second when I thought you were lying on a pile of bones. But then I realized: rocks! Or, um, coral/porous rocks? Clearly I need to get out more often.
I may not recover from this post for a long, long time…
Sometimes one just has to draw the line. I’m thinking an ant’s ass would be the line I’d draw.
Still funny though…I’m just wondering: who was the very first person in the world to think of licking an ant’s ass? Certainly, it was a pub bet.
Can’t say thats something I’ve ever done while on vacation! In exchange for all of that scenery though, I’d say it was perfectly fair that you had to do a little ant-licking 🙂
To everyone who asked: Nudey Beach is full of loose dead coral. It really does look like bones. And it was a bitch to walk on, and diving in front of the camera for this shot was a bit painful, ha.
I’m pretty sure YOU already have one of the best jobs in the world 🙂 And inspiring me to take some photography classes…
citrus-y, eh?
i NEVER would have guessed.
also? you are awesome!
One of my fondest memories of Oz was hiking through the rainforest. Yep, we licked ants’ butts, but then we got to visit the local ice cream place and that somehow made it ok. All of the flavors were “regular” (vanilla, chocolate, coffee, etc.) but were made from fruits and plants in the forest that had no relation to the traditional flavorings. I forgot all about the butts after that…
Hi Kristin,
Those photos are just wonderful, I love the stories, can you send me any copies?