When you run into a fire ant, you’re in for a bad day. But if you run into a colony-sized raft of fire ants, well, that’s going to be a very bad day. These insects evolved to survive Amazonian floods, and that prowess has helped them spread far from their original homes. When waters start rushing into their home, the ants set out on a rescue mission, pulling their young out. The ants lash themselves and the youngsters together with their own bodies and form a floating raft. Thanks to the hydrophobic hairs on the larvae and ants, they trap a layer of air near their bodies. This helps them breathe, even if they’re on the bottom of the raft. Learn lots more about fire ants, including how they act as fluid, over here. (Image and video credit: Deep Look)
Fire Ant Rafts
