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Wooden Formicarium Ideas?!


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12 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Jonny8040 - Posted August 4 2020 - 9:45 AM

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Hey guys,
To start off, I do not own these nests as I got the pictures off the internet. I want to know what you all think about these for wood dwelling species such as crematogaster or camponotus? Pros and cons. Go ahead 🙂

In Jesus,
Jonny

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In Jesus,
Jonny

#2 Offline TechAnt - Posted August 4 2020 - 10:15 AM

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Cons

1. I’m not sure how you’d hydrate it
2. They could rot quickly

In the middle stuff
Camponotus (maybe Crematogaster too) could carve the set-up however they want, as they could chomp through the wood. I don’t know if you would want this or not.

Pros

1. Probably very comfortable for Crematogaster or Camponotus
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#3 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted August 4 2020 - 10:21 AM

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For Crematogaster hydration probably wouldn’t be necessary as long as you provide a source of drinking water in the outworld.

Also I think you hydrate using the wood on the outside of the tank somehow.

Edited by Kaelwizard, August 4 2020 - 10:21 AM.


#4 Offline TechAnt - Posted August 4 2020 - 10:22 AM

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For Crematogaster hydration probably wouldn’t be necessary as long as you provide a source of drinking water in the outworld.


Fair point, but my con about that for Camponotus still stands.
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#5 Offline BlueLance213 - Posted August 4 2020 - 10:33 AM

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Yeah sadly the wood would also discolour rather quickly once too much moisture gets into the wood, it wouldn't bother the ants, but it might look less attractive down the line. Id still honestly try it though, would be interesting to see how it goes



#6 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 4 2020 - 10:46 AM

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I think a wood nest like this could work really well for Crematogaster. You could sprinkle water on the wood like rainfall and provide drinking water.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#7 Offline ponerinecat - Posted August 4 2020 - 11:09 AM

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Wood discoloring/rot would be fine imo. Just a more realistic nest. the ants carving their own cambers should be fine as well, since they won't leave the wood piece.



#8 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted August 4 2020 - 11:22 AM

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 it might look less attractive down the line.

I honestly think rotting wood adds a very natural, woodsy tone.


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis


#9 Offline BlueLance213 - Posted August 4 2020 - 11:59 AM

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I don't mind rotting wood either :P I just meant if they are looking for it to still be of similar condition a year down the line, id be doubtful, just saying haha :P Personally if i could get a cut piece of tree like that, Id use it, i mean worst thing is it rots badly, ants will be fine though since they are usually in that environment.



#10 Offline Jonny8040 - Posted August 4 2020 - 12:33 PM

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So would the camponotus need nest hyrdration? From what I understand, crematogaster don't
In Jesus,
Jonny

#11 Offline ponerinecat - Posted August 4 2020 - 12:52 PM

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So would the camponotus need nest hyrdration? From what I understand, crematogaster don't

all ants need hydration of some sort. but some can stand drier conditions than others.



#12 Offline Antkid12 - Posted August 4 2020 - 1:39 PM

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 A wood nest with narrow chambers would probably be good for Colobopsis.


Ants I have: Tapinoma sessile(2 queen colony). RED MORPH Camponotus neacticus(now has pupae!), Tetramorium immigrans (x3), Aphaenogaster sp, Temnothorax sp, Brachymyrmex sp.   possibly infertile   :(,  Ponera pennsylvanica, and Pheidole morrisi!  :yahoo: 

 

Other insects: Polistes sp. Queen

                    

Ants I need: Pheidole sp., Trachymyrmex sp., Crematogaster cerasi , Dorymyrmex sp. Most wanted: Pheidole morrisii

 

                    

                   

 

 


#13 Offline Jonny8040 - Posted August 4 2020 - 1:45 PM

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I might see what I can come up with for one and put it on here and see what y’all think! I have a router so that should do the trick
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In Jesus,
Jonny




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