Scientists studied one kind of ant found in Africa—the Matabele （馬塔貝萊螞蟻）. These ants eat other bigger insects called termites （白蟻）. The termites fight back by biting the ants legs. When ants get injured， they give off9 a chemical10 compound called pheromones （費洛蒙） that tells the others they need help.

Other ants come pick up the injured ants. They carry them back to the nest （see photo）. The injured ants keep still11 to make it easier for the helpers to carry them. Then the healthy ants lick the broken legs of the injured ants. Scientists think the licking helps the legs heal12.

The injured ants are more likely to live if they get help. When they recover， they can go hunt termites（白蟻） again.

科學(xué)家們對非洲馬塔貝萊螞蟻進(jìn)行了研究。這些螞蟻會捕食比它們體型更大的白蟻。而白蟻往往回?fù)?，撕咬對方的腿部，?dǎo)致大量螞蟻受傷。受傷的螞蟻會釋放化學(xué)物質(zhì)費洛蒙向同伴求救。

同伴隨后會帶它們返回螞蟻窩（見圖）。受傷的螞蟻往往保持身體僵直，方便同伴扛帶，同伴更會為其舔舐傷口療傷。研究人員認(rèn)為舔舐有助于傷口的愈合。

獲得幫助的螞蟻往往更容易康復(fù)，以便繼續(xù)與白蟻戰(zhàn)斗。