What if crows had uncovered a natural remedy we humans haven’t mastered? This mysterious anting ritual—rolling in clouds of live ants—has baffled scientists for over a century.
Did you know that crows, famed for their intelligence, use the ritual to treat parasites? Researchers have spotted two methods:
Birds grab ants with their beaks and rub them directly onto their feathers.
Birds stir up ant colonies to provoke bites, then let the insects crawl through their plumage.
Antimicrobial properties of ants: a natural protection?
Ants in the Formica and Myrmica genera produce formic acid and other antimicrobial compounds. Researchers believe these baths help crows shed ticks and guard against infections. Yet some suggest it’s simple self-stimulation, like a human habit, with no direct biological aim. Most experts back the hygiene theory, but no explanation is final.
Birds just like this crow use ants to get rid of parasites. 🦠 Taking a bath in ants is also called ‘anting’. #Censorship is a parasite 🦠 $CAW is #FreedomOfSpeech
Did you know? 🎓#CAW #AHuntersDream pic.twitter.com/EwGAjAc1je
— FreeWilly🌙 (@WillyNillyRaw) April 21, 2024
A universal ritual among birds… and beyond
Ant bathing isn’t just for crows. Thrushes, blackbirds, and over 200 species worldwide practice this universal ritual. Even some primates have been seen rubbing ants on their skin. This widespread behavior still puzzles researchers—and future studies may finally reveal its true purpose.
A Hornbill “anting”. They purposely sit on top of ants nest and allow ants to crawl all over them. This helps them with cleaning parasites, feather maintenance and stimulation for feather growth. pic.twitter.com/A9shVeMxgc
— Interesting As Fuck (@interesting_aIl) November 23, 2024
Angèle Ingrand
Science journalist
Fascinated by nature and zoology since childhood, this journalist chose to share her passion through journalism after completing her biology studies. Now in her third year at the journalism school in Cannes, she works at Futura, where she is dedicated to making science accessible and raising public awareness of environmental issues.
