News Animals

How metal-infused jaws give some ants an exceptionally sharp bite

Body parts reinforced with zinc and manganese make impossible cuts possible, a study suggests

a leaf-cutting ant, with sharp mandibles visible

Leaf-cutting ants (Atta cephalotes) have jaws lined with “teeth” kept razor sharp by interspersing zinc atoms among proteins.

Ryan Garrett

By Jake Buehler

- More than 2 years ago

If you’ve ever felt the wrath of a biting or stinging insect, it may seem incredible that something so small can so easily slice or puncture human skin.