3 ms·

Some species of birds like to rub themselves with ants (2017)

• rdtsc 8y ago
  > This theory posits that the formic acid produced by ants might act as a sort of stimulant for birds, and might even be addictive. I like that idea. I also remember growing up we used to put straw on top of ant hills waiting for ants to "attack it" with formic acid, then we'd lick the straw. It was a fun sour taste. Since birds groom their feathers, maybe they just enjoy it like kids might enjoy sour candy.
  • plink 8y ago
    Is that you, Horty Bluett?
    • rdtsc 8y ago
      Yes that's me. I am enjoying my exciting new life as a carnival performer on HN Though it is hard to type with three missing fingers...
  • dmix 8y ago
    Where did you learn to do that?
    • rdtsc 8y ago
      Other kids showed me. How did they learn? Not sure, same way :-) But yeah, at some point someone decided "Hey, I know, I'll put this stick in the anthill then lick it to see what it tastes like".
• joshuaheard 8y ago
  My dog used to rub himself on earthworms he found in the lawn. Very strange. I thought maybe since earthworms have high antifungal and and antibacterial properties, he was trying to medicate himself? Ants have similar properties.
  • acdanger 8y ago
    Interesting. Was it just earth worms? Many breeds rub their bodies into the earth especially when there's a strong (usually bad) odor present. I've heard the theory that the behavior is intended to mask the dog's own odor which could aid in hunting.
    • joshuaheard 8y ago
      Come to think of it, he did rub on other things too like that. Maybe it was to hide his scent.