Matabele ants have a unique healthcare system to recognize and treat infected wounds.

They detect changes in the hydrocarbon profile of an ant's cuticle to distinguish between non-infected and infected wounds.

Ants use antibiotics from their metapleural gland to treat infections, reducing the mortality rate by 90%.

The primary pathogen in ant wounds, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a leading cause of human infection.

Researchers plan to explore wound care behaviors in other ant species and social animals to potentially discover new antibiotics for humans.

The study has been featured in the nature documentary 'Life on Our Planet.'