4 replies to this topic

[BitT]

So today my Pheidole Megacephala decided that the rubber band that is helping hold up their water trough is absolutely fascinating. So much so that they even brought out the big jawed majors to help chew at it. This setup has been in there for a long while now and one or two has been up there before but never have they swarmed it. I can't figure out what the sudden interest in it is for?

 

I know they been drinking a LOT more recently, it has been interesting seeing how far it has gone down each day. The only things I can think of is either they can't get enough water from the cotton (that keeps them from drowning but still having access to the water) and so they are looking for an easier way into the water which the rubber is "easier" to chew or maybe there is something within the rubber band that they need food-wise. I been feeding them bugs and honey mostly, are they missing something in their diet?

 

Anyway, I'm just curious since I only just noticed a moment ago that they were swarming it. Aaaand it looks like they mostly gave up as now only 10 are still up there. Maybe they were just bored? lol

 

The big dark blob is a major chewing at the rubber band. Wish I could get better shots. Blah.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Ants can be really weird like that sometimes, I doubt that there is any real nutritional need they are fulfilling. Perhaps one of the compounds in rubber bands is similar enough to one found in insects or nuts that they are attracted to it as if it was food.

[Ants_Dakota]

Maybe it is just workers feeling the crave to dig, but can't in your setup. My ants try to dig anything when there is no dirt to dig.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Maybe it is just workers feeling the crave to dig, but can't in your setup. My ants try to dig anything when there is no dirt to dig.

Could be. Maybe you should give them a little bowl of reptile substrate to use for nest modification. 

[BitT]

Sorry for super late reply! I actually do have play sand in their outworld setup. When they were first introduced to it they did dig in it but they haven't tried to do that in ages. They also have a large rock in their set up where they like to bury their extra bug parts for later use. As an update though since that day they haven't tried to mess with the rubber band. At this point I'm thinking they just got curious and decided to see what they could do with it.