South Carolina Ants Are Forming "Ant Islands" to Survive the State's Historic Flooding

Somehow, an entire "ant island" can be self-assembled in less than two minutes.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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What was originally believed to be a simple, boring pile of mud was quickly discovered to be what can only be described as an "ant island." Though Adrian Acosta snapped the footage above, others in the Greenville County area of South Carolina reported seeing the bizarre display as well. Because science is the only real magic, ants are able to gather their eggs and start weaving living life rafts when waters star to rise, a skill that's become essential during the historic flooding currently plaguing the area.

"Although the raft is porous and its base is below the water level," explainsNature's Lizzie Buchen, "none of the ants are submerged, or even get wet. Instead, the ants at the base of the raft push against the water's surface and shape it around them into a bowl without breaking the surface tension." Though the rain in South Carolina has mostly subsided, the state is now facing "billions of dollars" in damage, according to CNN.

Though the oddly compelling results don't imply such a quick turnaround, the process for self-constructing a handy island of ants doesn't even take two minutes of an ant's time.

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