The Collective Intelligence of Animals, Part 2 of 2

When s colony of fire ants is flooded by water, in less than 2 minutes, the worker ants weave a water-repellent and life-saving raft by linking their legs and mouths together to form strong networks. A single ant can connect with up to 20 other individuals! Due to the thghtly knit weave of ants, and the fact their exoskeletons are water-repellent, water cannnot penetrate the raft. The air in their exoskeleton cavities helps them to float. The queen and larvae are positioned in the center of the raft where they stay high and dry.