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Naturebang: Ants and Social Distancing

Naturebang

Ants and Social Distancing

BBC Radio 4 - Naturebang, Ants and Social Distancing

Can ants teach us anything about how to avoid a pandemic? Or how to survive one?

Becky Ripley and Emily Knight delve into an anthill to see what ants can teach us about surviving a pandemic. From self-isolation to social distancing, the ants lead the way.

Becky Ripley and Emily Knight find out what ants teach us about surviving a pandemic. 

As social animals, we're particularly susceptible to disease, so perhaps there are lessons to be learned from other sociable species in how we manage this. Ants are one of the most social species on the planet, and it turns out they know a thing or two about self-isolation and social distancing.

The story of how we protect each other (and ourselves) is a story that takes us from the complex maze of an anthill to the equally complex maze of human etiquette. If you think social distancing is a new invention - or even a human invention - think again.

Featuring Dr Nathalie Stroeymeyt, Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol, and Michael de Barra, Lecturer in Psychology at Brunel University London.

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