 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 ) , <unk> plants ( <unk> <unk> ) and Casearia corymbosa have been identified in these habitats . Other identified plants and trees include Indian mallows ( <unk> ) , spurred <unk> ( <unk> cristata ) , <unk> erectum , <unk> ( Commelina ) , cigar plants ( <unk> ) , hairy <unk> ( Digitaria <unk> ) , crane grass ( <unk> unisetus ) , Mimosa , Mexican <unk> ( Panicum <unk> ) , Senna uniflora and Setaria <unk> . These habitats usually have a wet season in summer and autumn and a dry season in spring . 
