Kinda liked this picture for some reason.
As the colony size increased, I notice that the workers sent out for scavenger duty in the outworld has increased, expected but it's interesting to see. It use to be 2-3, now there's a constant 8 up to 10!
Most of the first nanitics are sent out there, older workers from what I've heard, end their lives scavenging for food. However, some still remain inside guarding some of the openings in the mini hearth XL from my intrusions 
So just when I thought things might slow down, I saw this today! (View picture)
I thought the Queen might be slowing down in the upcoming colder months (still debating on whether to give them a cooldown time around Nov to Feb for the first year) but seems like this Queen has other plans.
That's probably the biggest batch of eggs I've seen from her yet!
I'm guessing 50+, this Queen is insane! 
While I'm happy, I'm somewhat worried. I like growth and I don't want to seem ungrateful, but hope I can manage!
I’m following close!! This is an epic journal and for a species that has become one of my favorites. You do a great job of documenting for others to learn from your experience. I need to be more like you…
Our colonies are neck and neck of each other in terms of age and size
I’m well, thanks. I understand the antisocial thing. I tend to feel some seasonal blues this time of the year.
Your girls look gorgeous in the xl minihearth. I have my colony of the same size in their original test tube still. It’s amazing, the tube is clean and the water is full. Can’t wait to see them in their first formicarium like your girls.
Haha glad you like it 
Do you let your ants drink as much sugar water as they want to all the time?
What's your temperature range at for yours?
And thanks, glad to also hear that you're doing well too. Yeah I had to move mines out of the test tube, I have this OCD / obsession issue and noticed the Queen having a difficult time moving around in the glass test tube and had to move her out as it was nagging at me a lot. So far, I think these guys definitely appreciate the ability to hang off the walls of the formicarium. I think it's kinda like how we sleep in different positions to get comfortable. I notice the Queen, especially, loves to hang off the walls 80-90% of the time when given the choice. For the workers, it's a mix, they're 50-80% on the ground but do go on the wall and chill from time to time. My other guess is also that having a full abdomen and bigger size, it's a tad easier and more comfortable to hang off the wall, kinda like the honeypots. Not too many stay right on the ceiling though, only a few.
While I love seeing the colony grow big, fast (always nice to see the things you like/love explode with life and growth), I am somewhat concerned about how I'll manage it so my mindset of "I can't wait until I get a thousand workers!!" is dialed down. I keep my temperature on the lower side because of that. The food requirement has increased many times, even when they went from 8 to 16 workers, felt like their food requirement increased like 4x or more! And dealing with their waste too (as I can't handle bad smells).
My true goal, actually, is to get a huge Major! So I don't want a ton of workers, I just want some ginormous Majors 
I've seen them in some pictures and videos and think they're super neato so I can't wait to have my own so I can see what contributions they add to the colony (I mean I have a hint but I wanna see it in action). So going to handle it too!! (I'm a handler as you can see from my profile picture with the centipede)
Truly impressive growth. Welcome back!
Thanks man, good to see you active and well still!
Thank you for your work on the forum.
Can't believe yours grows so fast! Mine's staying around 15 workers for a couple of months...
Yeah, a bit faster than I expected as well. I thought I'd be lucky to get 25 workers for the first year, but at this pace, especially with the big batch of eggs shown above, we'll have to see!
Think my Queen ant is doing okay, I honestly just want her stable and healthy and not rush it.
My goal is not colony size to be honest, I just want my first max size Major and I'll be happy. My goal is the handle a Major ant, I know it's a weird goal but I dunno what to say, I'm a handler (view my profile picture)
Do you also keep the same species, CA02?
Who knows, your Queen ant might be resting up for a really productive second year! I hear that's how some Queens operate. Be careful of what you wish for, she might give you more than you can deal with 
If you think it has something to do with your setup like temperature, diet, nest or whatnot and are concerned, feel free to PM or ask in the General Ant Keeping section of the forum and we can always chit chat and see what's up and hopefully figure it out
Thanks for the comments, everyone!
Edited by BleepingBleepers, October 16 2023 - 11:51 PM.
