Ants Become First Known Animal Surgeons Besides Humans

Researchers at Lausanne University witnessed ants performing amputations on injured nest mates, the Guardian reported yesterday.

This behavior, never before observed outside humans, appears to be a life-saving medical practice for these social insects, the article mentioned.

The study, published in Current Biology, focused on Florida carpenter ants. Researchers led by Dr. Erik Frank injured the ants’ legs and observed their nest mates’ responses. Remarkably, ants with upper leg injuries underwent amputations at the joint connecting the leg to the body, seemingly to prevent infection.