Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have also verified that desert microhabitats have unique odour signatures that can guide the ants back to the nest.

[2] This skill, which has also been observed in the behavior of foraging honey bees, is elemental to the survival of this species of ant under the harsh conditions in which it lives.

This behavior allows Cataglyphis to travel farther from its nest than any other creature that lives in the Sahara, with respect to size.

[4] Cataglyphis fortis is capable, as well, of memorizing up to 14 different food odors which seemingly exceeds its requirements for survival.

Researchers were consequentially stunned that ants who had reached over four times the average expected age could still remember what they learned.