Article 3FTYK 'Paramedic ants' observed treating injured comrades

'Paramedic ants' observed treating injured comrades

by
Ian Sample Science editor
from on (#3FTYK)

The social insects have been seen cleaning wounds and possibly administering antibiotics to prevent infection

When the battle is done the victors head home, their march broken only to gather the wounded, who are hauled back to base for life-saving treatment.

Not a heroic scene from the second world war, but the daily grind for African Matabele ants, which leave their nests in the hundreds to launch raids on feeding termites - and risk life and limb in the process.

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