![Ant][1] <sub>[Source][2]</sub>

[Rex Kerr][3]'s answer has linked to [photographic evidence][4] of an **Asian Weaver ant lifting 100 times its bodyweight** (no, it's not the one above).

The picture won first prize in the first [Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council][5] science photo competition.

To me the amazing thing is that the ant is actually **clinging upside-down to a smooth surface** while lifting that 500mg weight:

![ant - 500mg][6] <sub>[Source][7]</sub>


<br/>**But**, 

>  ants are actually **not** stronger than humans.

<br/>The reason why ants can lift so much is due to **scaling**, meaning it has to do with math, not muscles.


<br/>**Strength**:

> **The strength of a muscle scales with
> the cross-sectional area**. (Exercise makes a muscle bigger, but not longer)

![muscle][8] <sub>[Source][9]</sub>

> This means, **the strength of an organism increases
> as the square of the scale factor**.


<br/>**Mass:**

> **The mass of an object depends on its
> volume.**

![spider small][10] ![spider][11] <sub>[Source][12]</sub>

The spider on the right is **3x the size** of the small spider, but it **weighs 27x as much**.

> **The weight of an object increases as
> the cube of the scale factor** (3<sup>3</sup>=27)

<br/>**Mass increases faster than strength.**

![Scale][13] <sub>[Source][14]</sub>

> So, if an ant would be human size
> it **wouldn't** be able to lift 100x
> its bodyweight anymore.
> 
> Or going the other way, playing 
> "[Honey I Shrunk the Kids][15]": 
> 
> ![Shrunk][16] <sub>[Source][17]</sub>
> 
> ant size humans would be as strong as ants.

<br/>**Sources:**

> - [Scale Factors][18]
> - [Why the little guys can do all the pushups][19]
> - [How can ants carry so much weight in proportion to their size?][20]
> - [True / False - Ants can lift huge weights][21]
> - [Why can ants carry items much heavier than themselves?][22]
> - [Ant Power][23]


  [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/H0df6.jpg
  [2]: http://www.sritweets.com/facts-regarding-the-weight-lifting-capacity-of-ant/
  [3]: http://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/3469/can-ants-lift-50-times-their-weight/3471#3471
  [4]: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-02/load-bearing-ant-carries-100-times-its-body-weight-well-photo-competition?page=
  [5]: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/
  [6]: https://i.sstatic.net/2nHcw.jpg
  [7]: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-02/load-bearing-ant-carries-100-times-its-body-weight-well-photo-competition?page=
  [8]: https://i.sstatic.net/jL0XJ.gif
  [9]: http://www.ftexploring.com/think/superbugs_p2.html
  [10]: https://i.sstatic.net/x6cI0.jpg
  [11]: https://i.sstatic.net/t6sJz.jpg
  [12]: http://www.worsleyschool.net/science/files/scalefactor/factors2.html
  [13]: https://i.sstatic.net/k6U8Q.jpg
  [14]: http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/1999-05/927263695.Gb.r.html
  [15]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097523/
  [16]: https://i.sstatic.net/nUBM1.jpg
  [17]: http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/
  [18]: http://www.worsleyschool.net/science/files/scalefactor/factors2.html
  [19]: http://www.ftexploring.com/think/superbugs_p2.html
  [20]: http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/1999-05/927263695.Gb.r.html
  [21]: http://www.truefalse.co.nz/articles/truefalse68-antslifting.html
  [22]: http://www.howitworksdaily.com/environment/%EF%BB%BFwhy-can-ants-carry-items-much-
  [23]: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/science/20qna.html