How Can Ants Feel Fear?
WouterUnlike humans, ants do not have complex emotions. But they can sense danger. These insects follow the fight or flight mechanism, which means they wiggle around to avoid danger.
These insects also lack the central nervous system, meaning they cannot sense pain or injury. This makes them feel uncomfortable and may even cause them to lose consciousness.
These insects have a brain, but it is tiny compared to the human brain. The ant brain contains 250,000 neurones, which means it is only half the size of the human brain.
The brain of an ant is also small, meaning it cannot translate complex emotions like fear. Ants also lack a neocortex, which is a part of the higher brain that processes language, sensory information, and emotional information.
Ants also have antennae, which are organs that allow them to sense smells and vision. They also have special cells called ganglia, which connect their brain to their nerve cells. These special cells carry nerve signals from the ant’s body parts to the brain.
Ants can also sense pain, but this is a more advanced feeling, requiring a higher evolutionary position. Ants are also attracted to sweet foods, like candy, which releases dopamine, a chemical messenger that helps ants feel hunger.
A 68 year old woman was stung by a fire ant, and experienced anaphylactic shock. Her throat started swelling, and she choked.
Several types of insects, including ants, have castes. Some ants are social pariahs, meaning they will live their entire life in isolation. They may not even recognize humans. Some of these ants are even capable of killing humans.
