Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Central Scotland Reptiles · Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 11:26 am Post subject: Myrmecology

Is there anyone out there propagating any ant colonies? If so what species.

I am also interested in making contact with individuals who have for sale or have access to ant colonies.
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Fraser Gilchrist
Central Scotland Reptiles - "Finding Beauty in the Beasts"

Central Scotland Reptiles · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 10:40 am Post subject:

Come on, is there nobody keeping ants??????
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Fraser Gilchrist
Central Scotland Reptiles - "Finding Beauty in the Beasts"

Paulk · Key Member Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 253 Location: essex

I did look into it, about a month ago. even though they are fascinating creatures I decided against getting them, and sticking to the bigger bugs!

There are specialist ant forums you could try if you haven't already!
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Beardies are the way!

Wish I were an invert!

christophermchale · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 1:10 am Post subject:

i used to have an ant farm with fire ants.

does that count?
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cardboard city.

Fangsy · Contributing Member Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 68

I have actually bought some massive ant farms .... but havnt got the room at the moment to use them ......
Hope you like the pics .....

Fangsy

Central Scotland Reptiles · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 11:36 am Post subject:

christophermchale - yes, that counts. How did you find them?

Paulk - do you have a web address for the ant forums? Also, if you don't mind me asking, why did you decide against it?

Fangsy - what species are you going to put in these tanks, Leafcutters? Do you keep any ofter species? Great pictures by the way.

I can't think of a better display that a nice Leafcutter Ant colony running back and forward from their nest to a feeding station. Certainly a great talking point. I used to have a nest at one side of my fireplace and a feeding table at the other. The ants would run along a 'suspension bridge' type rope system along the mantle piece!!! I will post pictures in due course.

I also remember when several of my bullet ants escaped!!! That is all together a different, and painful, story!!!
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Fraser Gilchrist
Central Scotland Reptiles - "Finding Beauty in the Beasts"

Fangsy · Contributing Member Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 68

Hi , would love to see pictures !!!!!! ASAP please .....

Im not sure what to keep in there , or where to get ants at the moment ....

I might start with something smaller for now as I dont have the room for my setup at the moment ...

Any suggestions ?

Thanks

Fangsy

Central Scotland Reptiles · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 12:02 pm Post subject:

Hi Fangsy,

Depending on your level of experience, I would suggest a colony from the Acromyrmex sp. of Leafcutter Ant. This species will multiply at a slower rate than the Atta sp. of Leafcutter Ant, their colonies are not as large either. Leafcutters are fairly simple to keep, just remember that as the colony grows, so too does their demand for food!!!!

You could also go for one of the European sp. of Ants. In my opinion however they are not as interesting.
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Fraser Gilchrist
Central Scotland Reptiles - "Finding Beauty in the Beasts"

Fangsy · Contributing Member Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 68

Do you have any pics of smaller setups that I do do , with limited room ?

Ta

Fangsy

Central Scotland Reptiles · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 2:38 pm Post subject:

No pictures at the moment i am affraid. The pictures i have are all taken from a camera with a spool. I don't have a digital camera or a scanner!!!

A basic set up for a small / medium Leafcutter colony is as follows; a standard fish tank is fine, place two normal building bricks in the base of the tank, pour in some water so that the water level reaches half way up the side of the brick. Put an aquarium heater in the water. Place your nest of ants on one of the bricks, place another tub or something similar on the other brick ( this will be your feeding table / station ) suspend a piece of wood or rope between the two. Basically that is it.
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Fraser Gilchrist
Central Scotland Reptiles - "Finding Beauty in the Beasts"