How do ant colonies survive rain?

Ants are very small creatures, and they have no shortage of outside threats: predators, shoes, ant poison, you name it. Rain seems like it would be a big problem for these tiny insects, but surprisingly you won't see a colony swept away in a downpour. read more

The ants can tolerate the rain passing through their nest. Fortunately for them, it is unlikely to pool below the soil surface because water generally moves through the soil until it reaches the groundwater. However, if a site is kept excessively moist, the ants likely would die and the colony would not survive. read more

Some colonies, like mangrove ants, will send a soldier ant to plug up the entrance hole with its head. This living stopper prevents rain from entering but is only a temporary fix, as it blocks gas exchange with the surrounding area outside the anthill. read more