I think they just know that getting away from the monstrous predator is better than getting eaten by it, and so they escape without regard to the size of the leap. If you did the same experiment with your hand held out over the ocean, I'm sure they'd make the same leap, only to drown in the water.

I wish our ants were like yours. If I clean up a bunch of them there are likely to be a few that ran onto my hand keep running around my hand. Easiest way is to wash them off. I've never had an ant choose to jump from me.

You... gently remove ants from your kitchen? Really?

Not OP, but I have a hard time killing any insects. Will capture and place them outside if I find any in my home.

Watching the little guys move around, they just seem to be doing the best with what they got. I kind of see myself and humans the same way, so feel sad and lonely if I kill them.

You're a hero among insects my friend :)