Fire Ants Make Rafts:
After Hurricane Harvey, many odd creatures have been spotted in the resulting Texas floodwaters. One of the most interesting discoveries is huge masses of fire ants floating in the floodwater. For these fire ants, floods are a benefit, as they help the ants travel in different ways. By linking together, trapping air pockets, and using the surface tension of the water, the fire ants are able to create large rafts to help themselves from drowning. Thousands of ants can join together in these rafts. However, these ants are venomous, so coming into contact with one of these floating rafts can potentially be very harmful. If need be, one can break up these rafts by spraying dish soap over them, as the soap breaks the surface tension of the water causing the ants to sink.

Kelli The Tenacious Koala:
Kelli the koala became famous after surviving a ten-mile trip in the wheel arch of the car. The owner of the car had started to drive, unaware of the animal under his car, and stopped about ten miles into the trip. When he got out he heard some strange cries and was surprised to find a very scared koala stuck in the front wheel arch of his car. The fire brigade was called to rescue the koala and they had to remove the tire to retrieve the animal from the car. The koala was quickly rushed to the vet, whereupon it was determined the koala was a female and had recently given birth. Nonprofit organization Fauna Rescue searched for the missing joey but sadly didn’t find it. Nevertheless, the koala, named Kelli after one of the firefighters who rescued her, emerged unhurt from the ordeal and was released on private property.

A Beneficial Belch:
A simple burp got this man an all-expenses paid trip to Istanbul. After enjoying a long walk in the park, Edin Mehic ordered his favorite meal: doner kebab, spicy with a lot of onions. When he finished his meal, he let out a satisfied burp. The next thing he knew, a police officer fined him for “violating public decency with a loud belch next to a police officer.” Mehic was appalled at this accusation and claimed that he was not aware his burp would be loud enough to be heard by and disturb the police officer. Luckily for Mehic, many took his side, including the chain that provided the meat for the kebab Mehic had eaten. The chain even gave Mehic a check that paid off his fine, as well as the all-expenses-paid trip to Istanbul. Mehic also sued for the fine and won an appeal in court, which ruled that there was “never proof” he had burped with the intention to irk the officer.

Grumpy Grandpa Helps the Police:
Wilfred Burgess ended a five hour police chase after he pushed a man off his roof in his home in La Puente, California. The criminal had been evading officers since six in the morning by jumping from rooftop to rooftop. When the suspect arrived on his rooftop, Burgess said he “got tired of his games.” He went and borrowed a ladder from his neighbor, which he then used to climb on the rooftop and confront the man. After exchanging a few words with the man, Burgess pushed him off the roof. The man landed on a car parked in the driveway and was handcuffed by the police. He was later admitted to a hospital for a mental evaluation. Burgess, who is in his eighties, said “I tell everybody, ‘just because you’re old, that don’t mean you got to sit down. As long as you’re able to move, move.’ “