6 replies to this topic

[UtahAnts]

Hi everyone, 

 

There has been a lot of journals and discussions on the keeping of Crematogaster. I personally have two colonies, unidentified but probably cerasi. One of them is situated in a test tube and the other in a plaster formicarium. The colony in the plaster formicarium is up to 4 workers with more coming, and I have started heating and feeding them. The formicarium however is degrading from water damage. I'm about to move them but I want to get a good insight on what type of material is best for these guys. I have 4 types of formicarium's that are ready to go, all checked for small entrances:

• Plaster nest: similar to the one they are in, this will be more reinforced against water
• Perfect cast nests: these are very tight and escape proof
• THA mini hearth: the only fear I have of using this is of permanent damage to the material, as I have heard of some species tunneling through
• Wooden nests: These would be interesting because I have only seen a few colonies in this material

Personally I'm leaning towards the wooden nest or the PerfectCast nests, but if the Mini Hearth will not be damaged I will probably just use that. Any input or suggestions would be appreciated

 

-thanks

Edited by AntsUtah, February 15 2021 - 4:12 PM.

[ANTdrew]

You could raise a colony to a large size in a mini-hearth, but the small foraging area may make escape proofing a challenge.

They may tunnel out of wood or plaster given time. They won’t be able to get through Perfect Cast.
With Crematogaster, ths nest isn’t really the issue if you give them lots of outworld space to roam.

[MinigunL5]

I'd either use a THA nest or make a nest fr5om hard plaster like Ultracal 30. Idk much about PerfectCast but that would probably work too.

[gs5248]

I would use the mini hearth. But other than that the perfect cast would be a good choice.

[FeedTheAnts]

I had a Crematogaster colony chew out of a mini hearth once.

Edited by FeedTheAnts, February 17 2021 - 10:59 AM.

[gs5248]

Huh. That is strange, but I have never kept crematogastor so I would not know.

[antsandmore]

I would use the mini hearth. But other than that the perfect cast would be a good choice.

possible problem. They love to forage, so they're constantly try to come out lol