The African Matabele ants live by hunting termites. In order to survive this, these ants have therefore developed a sophisticated rescue system and even some wound healing techniques. They alert their fellow species by securing a fragrance that they use to call the others to help. As soon as this sign of emergency is in the air, paramedics ants attack, pick up the injured fellow species home and treat the wounds. Without the wound treatment, 80 percent of the ants died. After the “medical treatment” it is only ten percent.
A third of the ants who leave to hunt for termites lose a leg. Nevertheless, even with four legs instead of six, these animals can almost regain the speed of a healthy ant within a day. And they also immediately support their fellow species in the hunt – there is no mercy for the Matabele ants veterans.
But the rescue system has its limits: If an animal is too badly injured, it is not helped. However, this is not because its fellow species do not want to help it, but because of the injured ant itself: If an ant is only slightly injured, it keeps quiet and pulls its remaining legs in order to be able to be transported more easily. If the ant is too badly injured, it strikes wildly around until it is left behind.
Fascinating little soldiers, nicht wahr? ;-)