Ants perform life saving operations .. we thought only humans did that
African Matabele ants rescue and treat injured comrades. Matabele ants are known for their fierce raids on termite colonies, and during these battles, many ants get injured. However, a study published in 2017 in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that these ants are not only capable of rescuing their wounded comrades but also providing medical treatment.
The study revealed that ants were observed carrying injured individuals back to their nest, where they would lick their wounds for extended periods. This behavior, akin to nursing, significantly improved the survival rates of the injured ants. Interestingly, ants that were severely injured and couldn't move would release a chemical signal, a cry for help, to alert their fellow ants to come to their rescue.
This discovery makes Matabele ants the only invertebrates known to perform battlefield rescues and subsequent medical treatment, a behavior previously thought to be exclusive to humans and some other mammals. This research offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexity of social behavior and cooperation in the animal kingdom.
Source: Live Science.
