Why Do Ants Carry Their Dead?
WouterWhether you like them or not, ants are a social animal that are highly intelligent and capable of complex decisions. They are capable of performing delegated tasks and solve common problems in the colony. They are very adept at defending the colony and protecting its inhabitants.
When a ant dies, they emit a chemical substance called oleic acid. This chemical lets other ants know that the ant is dead. This chemical also alerts other ants of a dead ant’s location.
Some scientists suggest that the oleic acid is a sign of empathy or sympathy towards the dead ant. This chemical may also have a hygienic purpose.
Another reason why ants carry their dead is to prevent pathogens from spreading in the colony. This is especially important when there are multiple colonies. It’s a good idea to remove dead ants from your home. They can become a source of disease and can cause structural damage to your home.
Ants also produce pheromones. Pheromones are chemicals emitted from the body to help ants communicate with each other. They are used by ants to tell other ants when an ant dies, and for other tasks.
Necrorophoresis is the act of carrying or dragging a dead ant to a designated location outside the colony. This process is commonly performed by worker ants. These ants are undertakers in mature ant colonies.
Necrorophoresis is not as well understood by scientists as some other forms of ant behavior. In particular, it’s not clear whether it plays a role in communication between colonies.
