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Hello from Illinois!

Started By cap_backfire , Jan 9 2021 9:54 AM

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8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline cap_backfire - Posted January 9 2021 - 9:54 AM

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LocationMunster, IN

Hey folks, new to the hobby but have kind fo done my homework (I say kind of because it seems like I'm always learning more).

Have started with three Camponotus colonies, one Novaeboracensis and two... I don't have my book here at work today, sorry!

Anyway, the Novas are going into a 29 gallon setup soon, with wood, precut tunnels and chambers up against the glass of three sides (not entirely but good amount of space). The "outworld" will be the main floor of the tank and mostly covered in moss/ gravel to prevent them nesting outside the tunnels. Any advice on moisture requirements for this species? There will definitely be a gradient INSIDE the nest area as the sections are 8-10 inches tall.

Spazmops likes this

#2 Offline cap_backfire - Posted January 9 2021 - 10:02 AM

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LocationMunster, IN

Nevermind, I just found the care sheets and my other two colonies (3 and four workers respectively) are Nicobarensis (sp). All are doing well but the Nicos are hibernating right now.

Totally fascinated by these guys and can't wait for them all to be large enough to go into a larger setup.

Oh, the Nova's have almost 30 workers and are very active and ravenous. They are in a small, 3D printed ant nest with a small tube setup (water and sugar water, also present prey items in these tubes).

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#3 Offline Spazmops - Posted January 9 2021 - 10:32 AM

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558 posts

LocationDenver, Colorado

Welcome to the hobby! I hope your colonies do well.

Co-owner and founder of Mountain Myrmeculture and The Menagerie Discord Server.

Ants I have:

1 Formica fusca group- 0 workers

1 Tetramorium immigrans colony-20 workers

1 Dorymyrmex insanus- 1 queen, used to have workers

1 large P. occidentalis colony- around 50 workers, plenty of brood

#4 Offline ANTdrew - Posted January 9 2021 - 10:56 AM

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LocationAlexandria, VA

Welcome! I wouldn’t advise putting your Camponotus in a big tank yet. They are such a shy species, you’d hardly ever see them again.

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#5 Offline cap_backfire - Posted January 9 2021 - 12:38 PM

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289 posts

LocationMunster, IN

For sure. I'm still waiting for them to hit at least 50 workers before they go into the 29 gallon. I'll be able to see into their pre-fab tunnels up against the glass, but it's a pretty huge area for them. I really want to wait until spring to let them go nuts in there.
I didn't know they were shy! DANGIT!

So what ant species can you reccomend that's a bit more fun to watch?