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Keeping Camponotus Ants in a Dirt Setup.


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8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Siddharth - Posted March 9 2017 - 8:12 PM

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In my area (Mumbai, India) i have three species of Camponotus ants. C. compressus, C.angusticollis and C.irritans

After doing some research i saw that C. ants don't seem to do well in bare setups and do best with some digging medium. so, i was wondering if I can keep Carpenter ants in a naturalistic dirt setup.

my idea was to take a large plastic bin (Like AntsCanada did for his solenopsis ants) fill it about halfway with dirt, some rocks, basically making a natural topography to the dirt and just introduce a queen to it, let her make her claustral; chamber and all that comes after that.

so, my question is, can I keep Camponotus ants in such a setup? also, how do I go about hydrating a natural setup?



#2 Offline Serafine - Posted March 10 2017 - 1:26 AM

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Better fill it to only a third unless you're sure the hills they produce don't get very high.

Yes you can keep Camponotus in such a setup. Camponotus are dry-loving ants that start to develop brood deformations at 20% humidity and below (which is WAY less than any non-climated room will ever have), many of them actually nest in dead (dry) wood.

To moisture the dirt use a spray bottle and just moisture one half of the surface so they have a choice (humidity gradient). Also provide them a water source at all times (test tube, feeder) and they'll be capable of mostly moisturing their nest area by themselves.


Edited by Serafine, March 10 2017 - 1:27 AM.

We should respect all forms of consciousness. The body is just a vessel, a mere hull.

Welcome to Lazy Tube - My Camponotus Journal


#3 Offline Jelly - Posted March 22 2017 - 11:17 AM

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I am in the research process of making a dirt setup for my Camponotus Fragilis. Does anyone know what the best digging medium to use is?



#4 Offline Alabama Anter - Posted March 22 2017 - 3:09 PM

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My ants love Eco Soil. It is a substrate that is made out of shredded coconut shells, therefore contains moisture very well.


YJK


#5 Offline dspdrew - Posted March 22 2017 - 5:10 PM

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I am in the research process of making a dirt setup for my Camponotus Fragilis. Does anyone know what the best digging medium to use is?

 

I kept this species in dirt setups. I use the dirt that comes from where they are found.



#6 Offline Jelly - Posted March 22 2017 - 10:49 PM

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I am in the research process of making a dirt setup for my Camponotus Fragilis. Does anyone know what the best digging medium to use is?

 
I kept this species in dirt setups. I use the dirt that comes from where they are found.

That's what I've heard too.
Where did you find these ones at? Lol

#7 Offline MichiganAnts - Posted March 23 2017 - 8:37 AM

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all of my Camponotus species have a play sand substrate in the outworld and seem to enjoy it


Owner of MichiganAnts, a YouTube Channel dedicated to all my Michigan colonies found and raise in my backyard

https://www.youtube.com/MichiganAnts

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Camponotus Noveboracensis

 

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#8 Offline dspdrew - Posted March 23 2017 - 10:38 AM

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I am in the research process of making a dirt setup for my Camponotus Fragilis. Does anyone know what the best digging medium to use is?

 
I kept this species in dirt setups. I use the dirt that comes from where they are found.

That's what I've heard too.
Where did you find these ones at? Lol

 

 

I found mine near Joshua Tree National Park.


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#9 Offline Jelly - Posted March 23 2017 - 10:48 AM

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I am in the research process of making a dirt setup for my Camponotus Fragilis. Does anyone know what the best digging medium to use is?

 
I kept this species in dirt setups. I use the dirt that comes from where they are found.

That's what I've heard too.
Where did you find these ones at? Lol

 

 

I found mine near Joshua Tree National Park.

 

 

Any local areas you think would work? I literally need like 1-2 cups of this dirt so driving a few hours to Joshua Tree is kind of hard.






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