29/05/2025
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When a crow feels unwell, it often seeks out an anthill. This seemingly peculiar behavior is a remarkable natural healing ritual. The ailing crow deliberately locates an active anthill, then adopts a specific posture: it spreads its wings wide and remains motionless, allowing the ants to swarm into its plumage.
This deliberate interaction serves a precise purpose. The ants, feeling threatened or simply moving within the feathers, instinctively release formic acid. This substance, a potent natural antiseptic, acts as a highly effective pesticide, meticulously eliminating bacteria, fungi, and various parasites that infest the bird’s feathers and skin. These unseen threats can cause discomfort, disease, and compromise the bird's insulation and flight capabilities.
This fascinating self-medication practice is known as "anting." While famously observed in crows, this intelligent behavior isn't exclusive to them; it's a shared instinct across numerous bird species. It showcases a profound example of nature's inherent wisdom: no external medicine or veterinary intervention is needed. Just a deep-seated instinct to leverage the environment's built-in pharmacy. It’s a powerful testament to the intricate, self-healing systems embedded within the natural world, urging us to pause and appreciate its ingenious solutions.
