Amazing Self-Surgery: How Animals Perform Life-Saving Procedures on Themselves

In human medicine, the concept of amputation is well-understood and utilized to save lives when an infection or decay threatens the entire body. This intricate procedure has taken centuries for humans to master and perfect. However, recent research has revealed that a certain species of ant has been practicing a similar form of "surgery" for much longer.

The Surgical Ants of Florida

Researchers from the University of Würzburg in Germany have made an intriguing discovery about ants. They found that certain ants, specifically the Florida Carpenter ants, perform a form of surgery on their injured colony members. These ants, which are brown and red in color, have been observed amputating the limbs of their wounded companions to save their lives.

During their study, researchers noticed that some ants in the colony were actively treating their injured peers. These "medical" ants would first clean the wound with their mouths before carefully removing the decayed or infected limbs. This behavior not only highlights the ants' intricate social structure but also their remarkable approach to collective health and survival.

The Role of Ant Doctors in the Colony

The Florida Carpenter ants live in colonies where they build their nests in rotting wood. Within these colonies, there are different roles assigned to the ants. Soldier ants defend the nest against intruders, while other ants take on the role of caregivers and medics. When an ant is injured in battle, the "doctor" ants immediately take over the task of treatment.

Researchers from the University of Würzburg were astonished by this discovery. They found that the ants perform these surgical actions with remarkable precision, and their methods of treating wounds were seen as a sophisticated approach to saving their colony members.

How Do Ants Decide to Perform Surgery?

To understand how ants determine when to amputate a limb, scientists observed the ants in a controlled lab environment. They looked at two key factors: the location and severity of the injury, and the flow of a specific blue-green fluid from the wound.

If an ant’s injury was on the lower part of its leg and there was a high flow of this fluid, it indicated that the injury was too severe, and the ant’s death was imminent. In such cases, the ants would amputate the leg to prevent further suffering. Conversely, if the injury was on the upper part of the leg and the fluid flow was less severe, the ants would proceed with the amputation as a means of saving the injured ant.