Nature

Fire Ants Form Rafts, Are Coming to Get You

By Nick Greene Wed., Apr. 27 2011 at 11:59 AM
Categories: Bugs, Nature, Nick Greene, Science, You're Crazy, Ugly Animals in Rightful Danger
The above video demonstrates how fire ants morph together to build a super-buoyant raft. Researchers at Georgia Tech were able to use time-lapse photography and mathematical modeling to fully understand that the ants "spread out from a sphere into a pancake-shaped raft that resisted perturbations and submergence techniques." They are protected from floods and other water dangers by using teamwork. This would be inspirational and uplifting if it weren't about hellish devil ants that can eat you and your children whole in under 3 minutes (estimated figure). [Newswise]
Email to Friend
Print Article

We Recommend

My Voice Nation Help
1 comments
  Livefyre
Newest | Oldest
VOICE Daily Deals

From the Vault

 

Slideshows»

©2013 Village Voice, LLC, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places New York

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city