nestmates

These ants perform life-saving surgeries on injured nestmates, similar to humans

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Last year, one species of ant was caught using antibiotics. Now, another species has been spotted performing amputations. Researchers have recently confirmed experimentally that this operation and the other treatments ants give each other do indeed save ants’ lives. We’ve known for a few years that ants treat each other’s wounds, but we’re only just … Read more

Watch an ant amputate a nestmate’s leg to save its life

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Ants are pretty remarkable creatures. From navigating the Earth’s magnetic field to spraying acid at their enemies, these tiny colonies are capable of great things, both as a unit and on an individual level. Now, new research has discovered that ants can even perform surgery, amputating their friends’ limbs and saving their lives. Florida carpenter … Read more