[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Here's a hole in the Earth that I'm hoping someone can identify.
It measures about 3 inches in diameter.



And, also in my backyard, is this neat ant nest without all the extraneous dirt piled atop.

The 3 inch hole looks alot like a bumble bee nest hole or a yellow jacket nest hole. Stir it up a little bit and find out!

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Moontanman

The 3 inch hole looks alot like a bumble bee nest hole or a yellow jacket nest hole. Stir it up a little bit and find out!

Nope, try again.

[modest]

Are those spider ants? If so, this might be relevant:

Sibley Nature Center, Midland, Texas: About the Center - Nature Trail Tour, July, 2006

It has a somewhat similar pic as your own:



I know near nothing of biology, is it even conceivable that ants could make a hole that size? Or, maybe they move into something some other critter constructed.

~modest

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by modest

Are those spider ants?

I'm not sure, but I'll try to ID them.

I know near nothing of biology,

You keep saying that, but I think you're just being modest.

is it even conceivable that ants could make a hole that size? Or, maybe they move into something some other critter constructed.

I'm not sure, but that's a good question. In the case of the photo you provided, it looks like it was a minature sink hole that the ants took advantage of. According to this map, Midland, TX, is in karst terrain. Looking into the hole of the photo reveals the piece that fell into the hole, from what I can tell.

Anyhow, the mystery hole that I photographed is made by, and currently occupied by, an Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus).

[modest]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Anyhow, the mystery hole that I photographed is made by, and currently occupied by, an Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus).

A chipmunk? The eastern kind you say. That probably was going to be my second guess. As soon as I ruled out the ant theory

Ants

Ants digging chipmunk-sized holes I seriously need to get myself a biology 101 book. But thank you for mistaking my stupidity for modesty. That is very kind freeztar, most kind.

~modest

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by modest

A chipmunk? The eastern kind you say. That probably was going to be my second guess. As soon as I ruled out the ant theory

Ants

Ants digging chipmunk-sized holes

I just measured the said hole and it comes to about 6.5cm (~2.5in). The following article states shaft diameters of 4-6cm, so you're not that far off. Also, that's just a quick search. I would not be the least bit surprised to find another ant species that builds even bigger dens.

Journal of Insect Science

I seriously need to get myself a biology 101 book.

Biology 101 books will not teach you these things. I recommend carefully examining your own back yard, or a nearby park.

But thank you for mistaking my stupidity for modesty. That is very kind freeztar, most kind.

"Without specific knowledge" is not the same as stupidity.