The total weight of all ants on Earth roughly equals the total weight of all humans.

Why this works

At first glance, the notion that the total weight of all ants on Earth could rival that of all humans sounds absurd, doesn't it? Yet, this riddle cleverly plays with our understanding of scale and the sheer numbers involved. With estimates suggesting there are around 10 quadrillion ants, each weighing just a minuscule 1 to 2 milligrams, the math adds up surprisingly quickly. When you multiply these tiny weights across such a staggering population, the combined biomass of ants reaches a staggering 80 billion kilograms, not too far off from the estimated 400 billion kilograms of all humans. This riddle taps into our fascination with nature's intricacies, highlighting how immense quantities can be hidden in plain sight. It invites us to ponder the vastness of life on Earth, where even the smallest creatures play a significant role in our planet's ecosystem. The "aha moment" arises when we realize that our human-centric view often overlooks the incredible biomass of insects, which collectively outweigh us. Interestingly, this revelation aligns with the ecological concept of biomass, which measures the total mass of living organisms in a given area—underscoring the profound impact of tiny creatures on Earth's overall balance. So, the next time you see an ant scurrying by, remember that it carries with it not just weight but the essence of a massive, hidden population that shares our world!