The ant called ‘Polyrax femorita’ pretends to die in case of danger and saves itself. Photo: Courtesy of Eureka Alert
Melbourne, Australia: Scientists have probably seen for the first time in an ant the ability to pretend to die to avoid being preyed upon by a predator and thereby protect itself.
On Australia’s famous Kangaroo Island, University of South Australia experts have discovered this trait in ants called ‘Polarax femorita’, which are actually very hardworking. Scientists discovered this by accident as they observed pygmy possums perched on trees and swarms of these ants in bright research boxes. But on opening, I saw that not one or two, but all the ants were dead.
The experts became suspicious and moved away, slowly the ants got up and started doing their normal work. According to scientists, these ants perform this action to protect themselves from being preyed upon. Although this action has been observed in many animals, including other insects, this is the first time an ant has been mastered.
Experts have encouraged the ants to live in research rather than conservation boxes because the Australian fires have severely affected these rare ants. These ants are an important part of the environment and are being considered.
On the other hand, these ants like to live on a particular type of tree, ‘Neroleaf Meli’, which is severely affected by forest fires. Thus, the natural habitat of ants is rapidly being destroyed.
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