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Mammals Evolved to Eat Ants 12 Times in History

12/28/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Mammals evolved to eat ants and termites (myrmecophagy) at least 12 times in 66 million years.
This shift followed the dinosaur extinction, letting ants and termites thrive and create a niche.
A study published in Evolution highlights the insects' influence on mammalian evolution, noting extinction risks and that ants and termites now outweigh all wild mammals combined.
True myrmecophages such as anteaters and pangolins developed long tongues and powerful claws.

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Story summary

Mammals evolved to eat ants and termites (myrmecophagy) at least 12 times in 66 million years.
This shift followed the dinosaur extinction, letting ants and termites thrive and create a niche.
A study published in Evolution highlights the insects' influence on mammalian evolution, noting extinction risks and that ants and termites now outweigh all wild mammals combined.
True myrmecophages such as anteaters and pangolins developed long tongues and powerful claws.