Researchers observe ants giving medical assistance to their injured comrades

Researchers from Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg in Bavaria, Germany recently made the astounding discovery that ants come to the aid of their injured comrades, taking the necessary steps to help them heal.

The behavior was observed among the African Matabele variety living throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Those that go hunting for food every day take big risks as they prey on termites. Battles often ensue, and injuries follow.

The team found that while ants who are injured beyond hope of recovery are left on the battlefield, the ones that can be saved are picked up and carried back to the nest.

Once home and out of harm’s way, the healthy ants lick the wounds of the hurt, typically doing so for a number of minutes.

“We suppose that they do this to clean the wounds and maybe even apply antimicrobial substances with their saliva to reduce the risk of bacterial or fungal infection,” Erik T. Frank, one of the researchers, notes.

The means is generally successful.

According to a release about the findings, “Without such attendance, 80 percent of the injured ants die; after receiving ‘medical’ treatment, only 10 percent succumb to their injuries.”

The researchers plan to further investigate a number of the questions. They include how the wound is identified and what factors determine treatment durations.