Fire ants have an amazing way to save themselves from flooding. They unite together to form a kind of raft that enables them to float naturally for days.
Biologists and engineers have found out that these tiny creatures linked their bodies together similar to how the waterproof fabric is woven.
The ant raft is water repellent because of their cooperative behaviour. The formation of air under the raft increased buoyancy and prevented the underwater layer from drowning. It is also remarkable how these animals can assemble in less than two minutes!
Freelance photographer Rafael Censi captured this amazing formation of ants.