6 replies to this topic

[futurebird]

Individual ants are happy if they have lots of nest-mates, a queen who's laying eggs and food/shelter. But, a colony may need more ... stimulation. So, I'm always looking for things for ants to do. Here are some favorites:

Give your seed-eating ants more natural seeds: a dandelion puff will confound and delight them, a sprig of wheat will let you observe how they unwrap seeds, peach pits (organic) provided days of fun... and you'll have a perfectly clean peach stone when they are done. 

Wet Sand: If you are frugal as I am you might sift the sand from their trash pile after collecting it. This sand can be reused after washing it with clear water many times. Most ants will delight in a lump of wet sand and start digging. Lasius ants will make intricate tunnels, Camponotus will create caves. These don't last long, but the flurry of digging and shaping of the wet sand is wonderful to watch. In a few days the sand will be evenly spread over the outworld ... so you don't need to upset the ants by doing it yourself. 

Finding good "activities" can be tricky, ants can make tremendous messes ... or just do things that will drive you crazy. For example NEVER give Pogonomyrmex paper. They will chew it up and make some kind of horrible paste that will be a plain to clean. Likewise, if offering fruit... make it into a mash or paste and only give the smallest amounts. Don't give ants a raspberry... unless you want to look at red stains for months. 

Do you have any enrichments that your ants seem to enjoy?


 

[RushmoreAnts]

Hunting. My ants love when I feed them live fruit flies, as they are harmless yet difficult enough to catch. The Hunt usually lasts for a few hours, but the ants seem genuinely enthusiastic. I’ve tried this with Aphaenogaster and Cremas, but I’m sure any species would enjoy this.

[FinWins]

Hunting. My ants love when I feed them live fruit flies, as they are harmless yet difficult enough to catch. The Hunt usually lasts for a few hours, but the ants seem genuinely enthusiastic. I’ve tried this with Aphaenogaster and Cremas, but I’m sure any species would enjoy this.

Yeah, or you could give them a large slightly insured prey item that they have to work together to catch.

[RushmoreAnts]

Hunting. My ants love when I feed them live fruit flies, as they are harmless yet difficult enough to catch. The Hunt usually lasts for a few hours, but the ants seem genuinely enthusiastic. I’ve tried this with Aphaenogaster and Cremas, but I’m sure any species would enjoy this.

Yeah, or you could give them a large slightly insured prey item that they have to work together to catch.

It would depend on the prey. Some feeders, like superworms, are capable of biting back at the ants, and could kill quite a few.

[Leptomyrmx]

Termites might be ok for hunting? Provided there aren't too many.

[JCRHJM]

Crickets at a manageable size are what I give my ants for their stimulation

[rptraut]

I make a "wet hole" in a corner of each outworld.  It can be as simple as a piece of sponge covered with moss, or a water tower with soil and plants around it.  I often add pieces of old carpenter ant nest wood to the design.  Hours of ant exploration fun for the whole family!