A July 2024 University of Lausanne study found carpenter ants (Camponotus floridanus) carry out lifesaving amputations on their colony siblings, marking the first known instance of limb amputation among non-human animals to prevent infection.
The study showed the bites were not random and resulted in a survival rate of over 90%. The three ants in the experiment that did not have their legs amputated died.
Carpenter ants may have a particular necessity to become surgeons as their salivary secretions contain antimicrobial properties, which help control bacterial infections when they lick wounds.
Insects aren't the only animals to engage in self-medication. Researchers have noted similar behavior in species such as chimpanzees, which use specific plants to treat diseases, and dolphins.
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