The post Why Some Birds Let Ants Crawl All Over Their Bodies<\/a> appeared first on A-Z Animals<\/a>.<\/p>\n Essential health maintenance<\/strong> for some birds requires active anting<\/strong> to ensure feather integrity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Secretions from the Formicinae subfamily<\/strong> produce a stinging sensation<\/strong> that complicates the cleaning process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Allowing ants to crawl<\/strong> over the body is a stimulant<\/strong> for perching birds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Locating wood ants<\/strong> is necessary for loosening grime<\/strong> before the preening stage begins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n There are some pretty strange ways that animals clean themselves. While cats groom themselves with their tongues, other animals like hippos rely on fish to keep them clean. But what about birds? Surprisingly, birds use ants to keep themselves clean! Known as anting, this behavior involves birds allowing ants to crawl over their bodies, which serves several purposes. This YouTube Short by @naturelenses<\/a> shows birds engaging in anting. Read on to learn more about anting.<\/p>\nQuick Take<\/h2>\n
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