Invasive species like Red Imported Fire Ants ( Solenopsis invicta ) are known to swarm and kill small snakes by stinging them repeatedly.
The phrase appears to be a trending search term or a misunderstood biological interaction rather than a documented scientific phenomenon.
Instead, this likely refers to one of three things: recent viral footage of of their own queens, the brutal feeding habits of invasive fire ants on native reptiles, or the specific defensive behaviors ants use against blindsnakes . 1. Viral Misconceptions: Ant "Regicide" queensnake torture by ants new
Research published in May 2025 reveals that many snakes, including pythons and blindsnakes , use scent gland secretions that are toxic to ants, inducing paralysis or death in the ants themselves.
Recent 2025 studies have highlighted a "Game of Thrones"-style biological warfare where parasitic ant queens infiltrate colonies and trick workers into killing their own mother . This "torture" involves workers pulling, biting, and pinning down the queen until she dies. It is possible that "queensnake" in your search is a linguistic mix-up for "queen ant" or "queen-killing" behaviors. 2. The Real Threat: Invasive Ants vs. Reptiles Invasive species like Red Imported Fire Ants (
Snake scent gland secretions repel and induce contact toxicity in ants
Ant venom can cause paralysis and slow death, which observers might describe as "torture" due to the prolonged nature of the attack. 3. Evolutionary Defense: Snakes vs. Ants This "torture" involves workers pulling, biting, and pinning
While Queensnakes are dietary specialists that eat freshly molted crayfish, they are vulnerable to ants in their riparian habitats.