Are nails edible? Ants moved it!

@cheongyc (5072)
Malaysia
April 20, 2008 2:21pm CST
Two weeks ago, I was waiting for my friend in my car. Because it was going to take while, so I took out my nail cutter and start trimming my finger nails. Some fragments of the nails flew off the car and dropped on the ground. After I am almost done with my nail cutting, I looked down at the ground, and to my surprise, a group of dark red tiny ants were dragging the finger nails away! The size of the nail fragment looked so gigantic compared to the size of those tiny ants. But they still struggled their way, dragging it away. I was impressed and wondered if the nails are edible for the ants. If it's not edible, why do they put so much effort to move it? So, do you observe similar ant behaviour? Do you think the nails are ant's food? Kindly share your view
2 people like this
5 responses
operationcwal
@operationcwal (188)
• Malaysia
24 Apr 08
ok, from what i know, ants can lift up to 10-50 times their weight depends on species. Also, the colour or shape of your fingernails may indicate certain disease. For example, nails that curl sharply around the finger point to coronary, liver or lung diseases. Nails that are sunken in appearance often indicate anemia, a condition where an insufficient amount of oxygen is carried by the blood. So, i hope u do not have such symptons so that the ants will not die because of you!..:P
1 person likes this
cheongyc
@cheongyc (5072)
• Malaysia
27 Apr 08
Ha, this reminds me of the scientific fact. Yes, the ants are so 'mighty' that they could lift things much heavier than their own weight. The finger nail pieces are so huge to them, but still they could move it away. I have read through some interesting articles regarding how the color of the nails are reflecting our health condition. Found that I am healthy Therefore you no longer need to worry about the ants being intoxicated by my finger nails Thanks for your response!
cheongyc
@cheongyc (5072)
• Malaysia
8 Jul 09
Hi Amybee, thanks for trying it out! See, what I am telling is true The ants are interested in our nails. It's good that you are implementing a healthy lifestyle and thus having healthy nails. The ants must be grateful to have found your nails Ya, what you said is true. We should learn the virtues of the ants. For example, their cooperative spirit and hardworking nature. Thanks again for your response and have a nice day AmyBee!
Mie123
@Mie123 (2)
• Singapore
8 Aug 09
Hi.. ants eat my nails too. So I suspect I have diabetes. Yes doc says my blood sugar is more den normal ppl. and I m onli age 21, having 6.0 for the blood sugar is high. My fren introduced me a mangosteen juice Xango, I hope it helps to lower down my blood sugar. Have anyone heard of this Xango? I have no idea whether the testimonials are true or not. Other than ants eat my nails, they even eat my mucus. Can u guys try whether ants eat mucus? Bcuz I m worried is it my blood sugar went up after the xango. I juz drank for 3 days.
lkbooi
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
22 Apr 08
Hi dear cheongyc, I believe the cut finger nails are food of insects especially the ants as nail is an organic stuff. I remember once I sat under a shady tree doing my reading. Unexpectedly I found a kind of tiny brownish ants tried hard to carry away the fragments of some peeled skin of my scars which I'd left on a piece of white tissue beside me. I was rather surprised to learn that such disposed stuffs could be their favorite food.
1 person likes this
cheongyc
@cheongyc (5072)
• Malaysia
22 Apr 08
That's possible. The finger nail is also organic, and I didn't think of that. But it's so stiff and that's why I wonder how the ant can consume it Well, I didn't try that. Next time I could do a experiment by giving them some peeled off skin to see if they will carry it away. Thanks for your response and have great day!
2 people like this
cheongyc
@cheongyc (5072)
• Malaysia
27 Apr 08
Surprisingly, I knew it from my mother too. She always advised me to cut the fingernails after bath. So, it's much easier because it's softened by the water. So, I think the ant know it too They might immerse it in water before they consume it.
1 person likes this
lkbooi
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
23 Apr 08
It is really interesting to observe the lifestyle of little insects around us. I think the nail could be softened by soaking in water. Once I found to cut my finger nails after bathing is rather easy as it had been softened by water then. Since then I like to have my nails cutting after having shower. I also discovered that by smearing water on to the nail surfaces, after a few minutes it could also have the same effect as well. You think the ants know how to soften the nails? Happy posting and have a good time.
1 person likes this
williamjisir
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
12 Jun 10
Hello cheongyc. I think that nails might contain some calcium that the ants need. Out of this reason they were trying to carry it all the way home to their case. I am sorry that I cannot find a better explanation to it. By the way, I have not paid much attention to similar ant behavior. I have to say that you are a good observer. Take care.
1 person likes this
cheongyc
@cheongyc (5072)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 10
That could be a good explanation why the ants are moving the finger nails to their home. It might contain some special protein or calcium that they could consume as food. I even thought that they might use it as building material , but it's very less likely to be true. I was quite bored at that time and keep looking around after cutting my finger nails. That's why I was observant enough to spot this phenomena. Thanks for your response and take good care too!
HULYO
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
23 Apr 08
LOL. ant's taught that your nails is chocolate and very sweet to look at that is why they help each other to bring to their home. anyway, never heard any information with regards to nails if edible to ants.
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cheongyc
@cheongyc (5072)
• Malaysia
23 Apr 08
It could be! Until now I am not sure why they are moving it back. Ants usually move things that are edible for them, or useful to them. That's why I thought it's something edible. Or, they thought it's edible Thanks for your response julyteen!
1 person likes this
kezabelle
@kezabelle (2974)
•
20 Apr 08
I really dont think they will get anything nutritional from a finger nail but they probably can eat them, they eat plenty of other stuff. Definatley a lot of effort though for something that probably wont help them lol
1 person likes this
cheongyc
@cheongyc (5072)
• Malaysia
21 Apr 08
At second thought, I think they could be starving, and thus are desperate to eat anything, including the nail. Poor ants, I will pour some bread crumbs to them if I have some that time. Thanks for your response!
1 person likes this