Ants often act as doctors and surgeons.

Ants are amazing creatures with abilities that go beyond what is expected. There are species that often act as doctors and surgeons in their colonies, displaying impressive social organization and adaptability.

The ants

They know how to do rescues and also give first aid.

When one ant is injured, the others act quickly. Matabele ants, for example, are known for their rescue behaviour. When confronted by termites, they can suffer serious injuries, but they do not abandon their companions.

They rescue the wounded and take them back to the nest. This rescue is crucial for their survival. Once in the nest, they clean the wounds of their companions, licking them to eliminate pathogens and prevent infections.

Some species of ants are specialists in making precise amputations

Ants also perform surgical amputations. If a limb is severely damaged, they amputate it directly. They make precise bites to remove the damaged part.

The ability to perform amputations shows a high level of care and cooperation. They undoubtedly care for injured individuals, to maintain the strength of the colony and improve the resilience of the group.

Injured ants also have a remarkable capacity for recovery. After initial rescue and care, they quickly reintegrate into the colony. Although their mobility may be limited, they continue to participate in essential activities.

Those that were amputated contribute to food gathering and other important tasks. Their reintegration ensures that the colony maintains its functionality and cohesion. This behavior highlights the importance of each member for survival.

All members of the colony collaborate for the survival of the group.

An experiment confirms these abilities

In northeastern Côte d’Ivoire, the Comoé National Park Research Centre studied the behaviour of Matabele ants. To do so, they created artificial nests with transparent lids. This allowed an infrared camera to capture the action inside.

They found that the ants carefully examined their injured companions. They used their antennae to check them almost twice as often as they did their healthy companions.

The experiment revealed that 80% of injured ants that received no treatment but were kept in a sterile environment survived. In contrast, only one-tenth of ants that received care from their companions died in the same period. Furthermore, they were able to conclude that infections are the main cause of death in injured ants.

Saliva, and the attention of the caring ants, helps prevent infection and facilitates recovery. This demonstrates the importance of community care in the survival of these amazing insects.

An example of cooperation

Wound care and surgical amputations in ants show the complexity of their social structure. These medical practices demonstrate a high level of cooperation and adaptability. Each member of the colony is not only concerned with individual survival, but also with the health and functionality of the group as a whole.

The Matabele ant species teaches important lessons about cooperation and resilience. Their ability to act as doctors and surgeons is a testament to their adaptation and survival. These tiny creatures continue to fascinate us with their amazing skills and advanced social behaviors.

Ants offer us a unique insight into nature. They are known for their skills and highlight the importance of cooperation in survival. They are small but very powerful and resilient creatures.

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