Fire ants build a living raft

This fire ant has reached the edge of her known world. Her way forward has now become blocked by the rising waters. She's one of many. And in a few minutes, their underground home will be submerged. Forced to evacuate, workers and soldiers try to save the larval young. As their nest floods, the colony seems to be doomed. But from chaos comes order. The fire ants band together, each locking legs with its neighbours. They're building a living raft. Each ant is covered in fine hairs that trap air against its body. As the raft forms, this air creates a cushion for them all to float on. This is the power of the colony. By working together, they've become unsinkable. And no one gets left behind. Pulled from the shallows, the colony is now at the mercy of the flood. Holding tight to the larvae and keeping their queen hidden at the centre of the raft, the colony drifts into deeper water - where they're vulnerable to fish that now swim through the flooded forest. Those that lose their grip must get back to the safety of the raft.