How Do Army Ants Build Bridges with Their Own Bodies?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do army ants build bridges with their own bodies?

The Big Idea

Army ants link their own bodies together to make living bridges! When a gap is in the way, workers hold on to each other with their legs and tiny hooks. Then the rest of the colony walks across on top.

March On

Step one: march on. Army ants travel in long, busy columns across the forest floor, hunting small insects together. They do not have one permanent nest. They keep moving.

Link Up

Step two: link up. When the ants find a gap, some workers grab each other with their legs and hooks and hold still. Soon a living bridge or ladder lets the others hurry across.

Ball of Ants

Step three: build a bivouac. When it is time to rest, the ants hang together in a big ball with the queen and the babies safe in the middle. The bridge or ball changes shape as the colony moves.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at the ant team! Every worker is small, but together they are strong. Tiny hooks on their feet help them hold on. The bridge stays still while others walk over it. And the queen stays safe inside the ball.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Workers hold their bridge until the whole colony has crossed. A colony can have hundreds of thousands of ants. Army ants sometimes build a bridge, a ladder, or a ball. Watch these ants from far away, and never touch them.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Link arms with friends to make a bridge. Let a small toy roll across the top. Change the bridge when the toy moves on. How did everyone have to work together?

Outro

Army ant bridges are teamwork in action. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!