Short Wave
Like Humans, These Ants Can Perform Leg Amputations To Save Lives
Jul 10, 2024
Nell Greenfieldboyce, an NPR science correspondent and ant enthusiast, joins to reveal the fascinating world of ants and their unexpected medical skills. Ants can perform lifesaving amputations on injured nest mates, a practice that may have existed longer than human surgery. Their social support and altruistic behaviors showcase their advanced decision-making and care for one another. The discussion highlights how these tiny creatures exhibit complex survival strategies, including self-amputation, all contributing to the welfare of their colony.
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Quick takeaways
- Ants perform therapeutic amputations to save injured nest mates.
- Ants exhibit evolutionary medical behaviors for colony survival and success.
Deep dives
Ants Practice Therapeutic Amputations for Injured Comrades
Researchers have discovered that ants, particularly the Florida carpenter ants, engage in therapeutic amputations to treat injured nest mates. These ants have been observed performing amputations on injured legs of their comrades, resembling a form of medical care. The study showed that this medical intervention is often life-saving, as the ants meticulously tend to wounds, licking them to prevent infections from spreading. The amputation procedure is selective and targeted, focusing on upper leg injuries rather than lower leg wounds to effectively block infection spread.
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