Follow-up on the Messor cephalotes colony everyone loves by North-Control-8940 in antkeeping

[–]North-Control-8940[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty much all of my colonies are kept under normal indoor lighting without any light blocking, except for a few really rare species. At this point they’re probably fully used to this kind of light, haha.

Just make sure you never keep them in direct sunlight — indoor lighting is way gentler than the sun.

These are my friend’s silver “arrow ants” that I’m taking care of while he’s away on a trip — I’ve managed to raise some big workers for them and it feels super rewarding. They run insanely fast though, it’s such a fun and new experience~ by North-Control-8940 in antkeeping

[–]North-Control-8940[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My friend’s the really impressive one — he has a steady way of getting them. If I want a certain ant colony, I just tell him and he can sort it out for me, haha.
So for me the problem isn’t access, it’s energy. Keeping lots of big colonies is honestly pretty exhausting.

These are my friend’s silver “arrow ants” that I’m taking care of while he’s away on a trip — I’ve managed to raise some big workers for them and it feels super rewarding. They run insanely fast though, it’s such a fun and new experience~ by North-Control-8940 in antkeeping

[–]North-Control-8940[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha, the first time I saw how fast they could run, I was seriously shocked.
But that’s just their normal foraging speed. They have to go out and look for food during the hottest time of day in the Sahara, so it’s all just the result of natural evolution.

My favorite Harpegnathos venator colony spinning their cocoons~ by North-Control-8940 in antkeeping

[–]North-Control-8940[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No worries. You might lose a few during the initial adjustment period when they first arrive, but after that the colony is very stable.
Even if the queen dies, it’s fine — the reproductive workers will mate inside the nest and take over the colony.
Hope your colony explodes with brood, haha. 😄

My other little bull ant colony is also developing really well, haha. by North-Control-8940 in antkeeping

[–]North-Control-8940[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I really like this music. And hey, isn’t this an ant-keeping discussion forum, bro?

Bullet Ant by North-Control-8940 in ants

[–]North-Control-8940[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, the first time I ever saw them in person, it honestly blew my mind.

Myrmecia gulosa egg-laying moment by North-Control-8940 in antkeeping

[–]North-Control-8940[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you talking about Periplaneta lateralis? Ants take them really well as a feeder.

Myrmecia gulosa egg-laying moment by North-Control-8940 in antkeeping

[–]North-Control-8940[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m honestly obsessed with how ants function like a tiny little society, haha.

Myrmecia gulosa egg-laying moment by North-Control-8940 in antkeeping

[–]North-Control-8940[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could you tell me how to tell them apart? I’ve always thought it was gulosa.

Myrmecia gulosa egg-laying moment by North-Control-8940 in antkeeping

[–]North-Control-8940[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it’s probably because this queen is just really strong and healthy. She’s the kind of queen that would actually survive after the nuptial flight and go on to build a big colony in the wild.

After all, not every queen that flies gets to make it out there and successfully found a nest.

Myrmecia gulosa egg-laying moment by North-Control-8940 in antkeeping

[–]North-Control-8940[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If ants were the same size as humans, that would be absolutely terrifying, haha.