News Life Teamwork keeps fire ants high and dry The physics that floats a bug's boat By Daniel Strain April 25, 2011 at 3:59 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print View the video SHIP OF ANTS By linking very close together, ants on the bottom of this raft create a watertight seal much like a boat’s hull. N. Mlot and Tim Nowack Fire ants know how to survive when the waters rise: They turn their bodies into life rafts.