Do ants have funerals?
This is a question that has long intrigued scientists and laypeople alike. While there is no sure answer there is some evidence that ants may indeed hold funerals for their fallen comrades.
In 2012 a team of scientists from the Netherlands observed a species of ant known as Formica fusca. They observed the ants carrying the dead bodies of their nest mates out of the nest. The ants then placed the bodies in a “graveyard” area some distance away from the nest.
The scientists also observed the ants engaging in what appeared to be mourning behaviour. They found that the ants spent more time grooming themselves and their nest mates after a death had occurred. They also found that the ants were more likely to attack other ants from outside their own nest if they had recently lost a nest mate.
While this behaviour cannot be definitively identified as a funeral it does suggest that ants may have some awareness of death and may engage in behaviours that could be interpreted as mourning.
What is the smallest mammal in the world?
The smallest mammal in the world is the bumblebee bat.
How long can a hummingbird fly?
A hummingbird can fly for up to eight hours at a time.
What is the largest type of ant?
The largest type of ant is the African driver ant.
Do ants have funerals?
Some ants have been observed to engage in funeral ceremonies for their dead.
