306 replies to this topic

[fortysixandtwo]

Great thread! And jealous! Myrmecia have always been my favorite genus of ants. So cool. Keep up the awesome updates!

[CrazyLegs]

Thanks guys, I'll keep it updated. There's just not much to tell. I fed them some midnight beauty grapes tonight. Ol' Original is always the first on the scene. When she's not on garbage duty she's stationed outside on guard. Probably talking to herself.

Here's a video of her after she's done.

I could watch an ant groom forever. 

Edited by CrazyLegs, February 10 2017 - 3:46 AM.

[CrazyLegs]

Here is A beautiful closeup of Ol' Original. I love her bald head with the little wispy grey sideburns. And those mandibles, my goodness. This is why they are so hard to remove when they have a hold on you. If you get stung once your more than likely going to get stung twice.

When she stands next to the other workers you can just tell she's been around the block a few times.

She has become quite tame with me, allowing me to feed her directly from the pipette. When I move to the glass she gets all excited in anticipation of some food. 

 

 

Edited by CrazyLegs, February 14 2017 - 12:33 PM.

[CrazyLegs]

Ol' Original conducted some sort of secret handshake with this worker.

 

 

We'll never know what was said between these two alien creatures.

[Martialis]

That looks like aggressive behavior.

[PTAntFan]

That looks like aggressive behavior.

Indeed.  Inquiry/challenge and response.  I am boss, see how I can get mands on the outsides of yours?  Stand down.

[rarankhan]

Wow just found this thread, had a great time reading it. Keep us updated, can't wait to find out what happens to the drones and the queens. 

Edited by rarankhan, February 13 2017 - 2:48 PM.

[CrazyLegs]

Thanks rarankhan, The queens have become very light sensitive and will run away when I'm trying to get a pic.

I managed to get this one that shows that Big Yella has changed her name to "Big Red" and still tolerates "Lil Red's" company.

If I catch them mating or manage to mate them myself, I will be separating them so they don't kill each other.

They still prefer the higher, dryer chambers at the moment.

Edited by CrazyLegs, February 12 2017 - 5:48 PM.

[Leo]

hide and seek

[CrazyLegs]

I had a lot of left over hebel and an Anonychomyrma sp. queen with nowhere to call home. So I had a tinker with a formicarium for smaller ant species.

I will use this queen and her brood to test what I have called "The Gecko".

I have some rubber stoppers on the way to properly seal the reservoir chamber, to hold that precious water. Another rubber stopper for the entrance as well to prevent them chewing out.

It is freestanding so can be placed anywhere.

 

Edited by CrazyLegs, February 14 2017 - 12:37 PM.

[antmaniac]

Very neat, I always find carving those bricks is time demanding.

[Leo]

don't you think it is a little big?

[Alabama Anter]

Lol I can see these ads in Gamergate.

[T.C.]

Very nice work once again. Keep up the good work.

[antgenius123]

Nice carving!

[Kevin]

What'd you cut the acrylic with? Once again, very nice design.

[CrazyLegs]

Very neat, I always find carving those bricks is time demanding.

Patience with delicate work like this is imperative. I was able to whip this little bad boy up in a day though. Still working on some extras for it with some supplies on the way.

 

Lol I can see these ads in Gamergate.

Yes, Brendon was kind enough to contact me and add me to the Gamergate team. I'm very honored.

 

What'd you cut the acrylic with? Once again, very nice design.

The acrylic was cut with my trusty diamond saw. I'm a tiler by trade and use top shelf cutting blades ( don't bother attempting to cut acrylic with a cheap diamond blade) and plenty of experience. This saw after 18 years of tiling is practically an extension of my arm now. If it wasn't so loud I would most likely use it to cut my steak at dinner.

[Alabama Anter]

Hey, would you sell those formicariums? I might as well toss my ant budget away.

[CrazyLegs]

Hey, would you sell those formicariums? I might as well toss my ant budget away.

I will make and sell these to anyone who wants one. I first want to make sure it can raise a new queen and her nanitics. I also have some upcoming additions I would like to add before I put a price on it.

[Leo]

ill try to buy