Yes, but not all ants, only few species show this behavior, There is some biological reason behind this lets explore them together.
Why Ants Remove Dead Ants First?
Eating dead ant is not a primary beahvior of all ants. As if they find any dead body near them thaey carry them away from the colony to the designated graveyard.
They do this removal because dead bodies release oleic acid which might attract predators to the colony and put all the ants to danger. This behavior keep the colony safe and clean.
When Ants Actually Eat Dead Ants
In some species a behavior known as necrophagy present, which means eating dead nestmates.
It happens because:
- Ants consider dead body a source of protein and other nutrients.
- To maintain food availability and deal with food scarcity.
When colony faces food scarcity then harvester and fire ants consider dead colony members a source of food.
Interesting Fact: This behavior of ants is only for nutrient recycling not a cannibalism act. This also does not make ants the predators instead they are just using the available source of food in closed environment.
Dead Ants From Other Colonies
Ants do not purposely hunt ants of other colony to eat nor they rely on the dead ants of other colonies. But it is a fact that they bring those dead ants to the colony as a food source whom are dead during territorial fight.
