Eciton burchellii workers form a living bridge to speed the return of prey from a raid front.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Neivamyrmex melanocephalus army ants initiating a live-ant bridge with their own bodies.  Here two ants lean against each other while a third starts to climb.

Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, USA
Eciton burchelli army ants can form living bridges with their bodies.  

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences
Eciton burchellii army ants cluster around a cricket they have caught.  

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences
Eciton burchelli army ants can form living bridges with their bodies.  

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences
Neivamyrmex melanocephalus army ants initiating a live-ant bridge with their own bodies.  Here two ants lean against each other while a third starts to climb.

Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, USA
Eciton burchellii army ants cluster around a cricket they have caught.  

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences
Eciton burchelli army ants can form living bridges with their bodies.  

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences
Eciton burchelli army ants can form living bridges with their bodies.  

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences
Eciton burchellii workers form a living bridge to speed the return of prey from a raid front.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Eciton burchellii workers form a living bridge to speed the return of prey from a raid front.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Eciton burchellii workers form a living bridge to speed the return of prey from a raid front.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013