Fire ants exhibit a behavior that ensures their survival during floods. Groups of fire ants can form masses or rafts that allow them to float on flood waters. Eventually they float to new locations, where the colonies can build new nests once they get to dry ground. In coastal areas, the high salinity of the flood water may reduce the ability of imported fire ants to form rafts. This may result in a temporary reduction in fire ant populations in areas flooded by salt water.
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What happens to fire ants during a flood? Do the ants drown?
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- What Are Imported Fire Ants?
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