Surgeon Ants Arrive at Bioparc: Watch a Giant Colony at Work

At the Bioparc, a unique new enclosure has opened, allowing visitors to observe a colony of giant ants of the species Camponotus maculatus. They’re also known as “surgeon ants”.

These ants can detect injured nestmates, clean their wounds, and, when necessary, amputate damaged limbs to prevent infection and death. After an amputation, the ants continue to meticulously clean the wound, making them one of the few known animals with such an ability.

The new exhibit is located in an area of the park designed to recreate Africa’s Kitum Cave. A transparent ant farm lets visitors watch the system of underground tunnels and chambers that serve different purposes for the colony — from storing food to laying eggs.

The structure was created in collaboration with the company Anthouse and offers a close-up look at the lives of worker ants, soldiers and the queen. Conditions inside the nest are kept as close as possible to their natural habitat.

Surgeon ants are notable for their large size and complex social organisation. These insects include soldier ants that defend the nest and can engage in genuine territorial duels.

African ant colonies grow very quickly. In less than two years, they can reach 10,000 individuals, and when mature — up to 50,000, all with a single queen. Besides nectar, these ants also feed on other insects, including crickets, cockroaches and flies.