Oloolua Nature Trail #4:
Siafu - Killer Army of the Forest!
This is the 4th of a series of 9 caches hidden along this fine hidden gem of a forest trail. See GC44KCB Oloolua Nature Trail #1: The Waterfall for an introduction to the trail, how to get there, trail map and information on opening times and fees.
The cache, a small circular plastic camo-container, is hidden under some bark pieces in a waist height tree hole within 2m of the path. Ground zero was at the time of cache placement close to a Siafu trail . . . so beware!
This 'extraordinary predator' which systematically ravages parts of the forest in turn in the never-ending search for food, is a 'super-organism', a 20-50 million strong 'elite fighting force' which constitutes the 'most formidable killer' and the 'largest single family' on the planet!
Dorylus is an African and Asian genus of nomadic predatory ants. The surface-foraging species conduct spectacular raids and are also known as driver or safari ants. They don't stay in the same place for long as they have to move more than once a month in the search for food.
They form highways before they actually move with lead parties staking out a new location and laying a chemical trail for others to follow. They clear the path of obstacles and make a trench which is easier for the large mass to navigate.
There are at least 3 different classes of Siafu besides the huge queen and the flying male (the largest ant on earth) with different sizes and strengths. They range from the large soldier ants with crushing jaws (the ones which will attack you if you are not careful!) to the small utilitarian ant that can perform numerous duties including cleaning larvae, hunting, and forming the actual walls of the colonies!
They have to hunt constantly to feed the millions of larvae produced each month by the queen. They basically spread out along the forest floor and sweep around the area near the colony sensing the carbon dioxide that living beings emit in order to find them. As soon as one ant encounters prey (typically an insect or worm), it releases a chemical signal so that others will immediately come to help - they need to communicate and navigate like this as they are blind! They win by sheer power of numbers.
They can intentionally hunt for and prey on much larger creature! Stories tell of attacks on rabbits, snakes . . . and even a drunk with a broken leg!
The soldier siafu ant's jaws are so strong that in some remote parts of East Africa, they are used as emergency bush sutures! A wound can be 'stitched' by 
getting the ants to bite on both sides and then breaking off the body. This creates a seal which can hold for several days. The procedure can be repeated, if necessary, allowing natural healing to commence.
See here for information of the siafu life cycle
See here for a fascinating documentary on the life of this extraordinary (and scary!) creature.
Tips for avoiding a Siafu attack:
1. Try not to be noticed!
2. Watch where you put your feet
3. Keep moving . . . don't stand in one place for more than 1-2 seconds (you will have to do a strange - and amusing - dance!)
4. Tuck your pants into your socks (if applicable!)
5. Get a buddy to check you over once you have 'escaped'
Good luck . . . hopefully you will not get 'stiched'!
Thanks to the management of the Institute of Primate Research for permission to place this and the other Oloolua Nature Trail caches