I am excited to share my latest article in StarLight Magazine: Turtle Ant Soldiers: Fierce Defenders. 
What is StarLight Magazine?
StarLight Magazine is a free, digital Christian magazine for children ages 5–10. Each issue encourages young readers to discover God’s creation through engaging stories, science, and faith.
This is my third article in the magazine. My first was a Creature Feature story about waterfall-climbing goby fish in Hawaii. My background in biology made writing a Creature Feature a natural choice. You can read about it here.
This time, I wrote another Creature Feature. I love nature, creation, and the amazing interactions between creatures and their environment.
The October issue is filled with delightful stories, woodland discoveries, poetry, and reminders of God’s love and care.
I hope this story inspires children — and the adults who read with them — to look more closely at the living world around us. The smallest things – like these tiny creatures – have a fascinating story!
What Are Turtle Ants?
Turtle ants can be found in Florida, the Bahamas, and Cuba. They live in dead tree branches and may be found in the backyards of people in those areas.
The turtle ant soldiers have a remarkably shaped head that allows them to block the entrance to the colony and protect their nestmates. Predators are not able to remove them from blocking the path inside and the colony remains safe.
Members of the colony tap on their heads, and chemical signals allow the soldier to recognize them as a nestmate and allow them to enter.
If you would like to read Turtle Ant Soldiers: Fierce Defenders, it’s available free through StarLight Magazine. You’ll need to share your email address to access the issue. If you know parents, grandparents, teachers, or children’s ministry leaders who might enjoy sharing these stories with young readers, I’d be grateful if you share it with them.
