biology - Plausible reason for gold-digging ant - Worldbuilding

Medieval bestiaries describe a creature, a type of desert-dwelling ant that digs for gold. It was also said to be the size of a fox, but I'll ignore that in this question. Why would ants unearth p

Giant Ants : r/Cryptozoology

Herodotus's Legendary Fox Sized Gold Digging Ants

literature Archives - Sci Phi Journal

World builders! There is no possible way that I am the only person

Herodotus's Legendary Fox Sized Gold Digging Ants

Ants Build Landmarks for Navigation

Ants & mankind involved with finding gold.

Getting Started With Worldbuilding – Mythcreants

Gold-Digging Ant (Medieval Bestiary/India) - Giant, golden ants

W202211 November 2022 Monthly Baen Bundle - Baen Books