Ants amputate legs in order to ensure survival – study

The Florida carpenter ants amputate limbs as a precautionary measure to save the lives of wounded nestmates – a behaviour that was previously only known in humans

Thu, 04 Jul, 2024 - 16:14

Nina Massey, PA Science Correspondent

Ants bite off injured limbs of fellow ants in an emergency in order to ensure their survival, a study has found.

The Florida carpenter ants (Camponotus floridanus) amputate limbs as a precautionary measure to save the lives of wounded nestmates – a behaviour that was previously only known in humans.