cen'łghats'i, carpenter ants

cen'łghats'i, carpenter ants, tunnel through dead and decaying wood, not to eat it, but to create galleries for their nests. These excavations are most active in warmer months, but the structures remain visible through winter, revealing the internal architecture of the tree. While carpenter ants can damage human structures, in natural settings, their work contributes to the breakdown of wood and creates habitat for other organisms. Cavities in dead trees can become habitats for insects, fungi, and even birds or small mammals seeking shelter.