Ants live practically everywhere but are most abundant in warm climates. There are about 10,000 kinds, or "species," of ants. Within each species there are usually many different types. Ants are social insects that live in colonies and are some of the most successful insects.

Ant colonies include one or more queens, as well as workers, eggs, larvae, and pupae. 
The worker ants maintain their developed structures known as nests. Nests protect the ants against their enemies, offer some protection against extremes of weather, and often are placed close to water and food sources. 

Some ant species nest in the ground, often times under concrete or slabs. 
Some species are found in wood, such as fence posts, dead logs, hollow trees, or within buildings. Termites are also found in wood, but their damage will be a lot more extensive because carpenter ants will only dig out or hollow out a cavity known as a nest gallery.  Ants cannot eat wood as do termites because they can't digest cellulose. 

The body structure of an ant is typical of almost all insects: six-legged, with a tough "outside skeleton", called the exoskeleon,
encasing three separate body parts, and with a two multi-purpose antennae. 
Unlike most other insects, ants have a waist, making it easier to identify. 

The exoskeleton protects it from the weather, injury and water loss. This shell contains varying amounts of an organic compound called "chitin."