this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2026
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Science Memes

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[โ€“] infinitesunrise@slrpnk.net 10 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Not just crushed ants, I smell it when they're scared and running, but undamaged, as well. Calm ants though, they don't smell to me. I always assumed it was a warning chemical to other ants, or a deterrent for predators with more sensitive sniffers than I.

[โ€“] AlboTheGuy@feddit.nl 4 points 2 days ago

Exactly, ants literally spray formic acid at anything that threatens them