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 Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to 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.