 N. ensifer is endemic to Mexico and can be found in tropical dry forests at altitudes of between 115 and 1 @,@ 700 ft ( 35 and 518 m ) above sea level . In some cases , colonies have been found 5 @,@ 000 ft ( 1 @,@ 500 m ) below the Pacific Slope . The ant is found throughout several Mexican states within the east , including Guerrero and Michoacán from the south , and Colima and Jalisco from the north . Nests are commonly found in basins and mountains along the Pacific Slope in pine @-@ oak forests . Scrub @-@ thorn forests are also abundant , consisting of trees and shrubs that are 15 and 25 ft ( 4 @.@ 6 and 7 @.@ 6 m ) tall , but other areas may contain low herbs and grasses . Plants and trees such as thorn trees ( Acacia ) , poinciana plants ( Caesalpinia pulcherrima ) and Casearia corymbosa have been identified in these habitats . Other identified plants and trees include Indian mallows ( Abutilon ) , spurred anodas ( Anoda cristata ) , Cathestecum erectum , dayflowers ( Commelina ) , cigar plants ( Cuphea ) , hairy crabgrass ( Digitaria sanguinalis ) , crane grass ( Ixophorus unisetus ) , Mimosa , Mexican panicgrass ( Panicum hirticaule ) , Senna uniflora and Setaria liebmannii . These habitats usually have a wet season in summer and autumn and a dry season in spring . 
