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The Great Exotic Ant Debate (I'm on the native side)


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#1 Offline AntsExodus - Posted June 23 2020 - 8:01 PM

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This is a very big topic and might get removed but I have to talk about it. Please if you have any exotics illegally, please don't announce them or put them on YouTube or anything! I will be completely honest and come clean I used to have exotics but I don't know thanks to my uncle but other people don't have these privileges and that's why I made this topic to warn those people. If you don't know there is someone named Realm of Insects who is on YouTube and he used to be named Ants Toronto but he found out if other people knew he lived in Canada he might get arrested. He is a small ant YouTube in Canada who only has illegal ants examples are a 5 queen Atta colony from Texas, a colony of Camponotus consobrinus from Australia and a colony of Carebara diversa from Asia. He might have a reason but I highly doubt it cause the USA and Australia have really big laws of exporting ants anywhere out of the country. I am not saying he is a bad guy I'm saying is he is not doing what he should be doing. If you want a exotic and you get it illegally you shouldn't be announcing it to the world. I know people will be saying "But they won't survive in Canadian weather", and yes I understand that but if there is a hater or someone disliking you if they find out about this they will report you to the authorities and I highly doubt those reasons won't convince the authorities. I am trying to explain this is an example of what you should not do especially when you don't understand the full idea of Exotic ants. In the end, there will still be hundreds of people keeping illegal exotic ants but if this changes at least a few minds to reconsider buying an exotic I am grateful and I feel accomplished. If you have any opinions against this I completely understand. 


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#2 Offline CheetoLord02 - Posted June 23 2020 - 9:09 PM

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WHO. CARES.

Let people keep the ants that they want to keep. Nobody cares what species of ants you have except for the mall cops in the hobby. OF COURSE it's wrong to break the law, but if people want to break the law, then let them. You aren't law enforcement, you have absolutely no say in this. All this post is going to do is make people angry and create another massive argument thread. So congratulations for potentially starting a whole new ordeal here because "mUh nAtIvEs"

get outta here.


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#3 Offline TechAnt - Posted June 23 2020 - 9:35 PM

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WHO. CARES.
Let people keep the ants that they want to keep. Nobody cares what species of ants you have except for the mall cops in the hobby. OF COURSE it's wrong to break the law, but if people want to break the law, then let them. You aren't law enforcement, you have absolutely no say in this. All this post is going to do is make people angry and create another massive argument thread. So congratulations for potentially starting a whole new ordeal here because "mUh nAtIvEs"
get outta here.

I agree, this topic is really just made to attack each other. We really should just let people get busted by the law instead of being basically: a online ant FBI that can do nothing about other people keeping exotics.

Edited by TechAnt, June 23 2020 - 9:36 PM.

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My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#4 Offline Antennal_Scrobe - Posted June 23 2020 - 9:44 PM

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WHO. CARES.

Let people keep the ants that they want to keep. Nobody cares what species of ants you have except for the mall cops in the hobby. OF COURSE it's wrong to break the law, but if people want to break the law, then let them. You aren't law enforcement, you have absolutely no say in this. All this post is going to do is make people angry and create another massive argument thread. So congratulations for potentially starting a whole new ordeal here because "mUh nAtIvEs"

get outta here.

Yup. Every week, someone starts one of these threads, and every week, it turns into the same stupid argument. Ultimately, I don't care what ants you, the person reading this post, are keeping. As long as "you" aren't running some sort of international wildlife smuggling ring, releasing exotic ants, or keeping RIFA outside their established range, I have no interest in policing "you". That's what the actual police are for. If someone was really going to do one of the seriously bad things I mentioned, I don't think they would pay attention to the essentially unenforceable laws which they would be breaking. Smuggling ants across international borders is one thing, but if you drive to another state to catch ants I really could not care less, just as long as you don't let them go.


Edited by Antennal_Scrobe, June 23 2020 - 9:45 PM.

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Currently keeping:

 

Tetramorium immigrans, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Myrmica punctiventris, Formica subsericea

Formica pallidefulva, Aphaeogaster cf. rudis

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus nearcticus

Crematogaster cerasi

Temnothorax ambiguus

Prenolepis imparis


#5 Offline gcsnelling - Posted June 24 2020 - 2:20 AM

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Turn them in to the proper authorities.


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#6 Offline AntsDakota - Posted June 24 2020 - 6:19 AM

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WHO. CARES.
Let people keep the ants that they want to keep. Nobody cares what species of ants you have except for the mall cops in the hobby. OF COURSE it's wrong to break the law, but if people want to break the law, then let them. You aren't law enforcement, you have absolutely no say in this. All this post is going to do is make people angry and create another massive argument thread. So congratulations for potentially starting a whole new ordeal here because "mUh nAtIvEs"
get outta here.

Just an example of the bigger picture, people! He’s not trying to point out a single person.
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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version


#7 Offline AntsDakota - Posted June 24 2020 - 6:24 AM

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WHO. CARES.
Let people keep the ants that they want to keep. Nobody cares what species of ants you have except for the mall cops in the hobby. OF COURSE it's wrong to break the law, but if people want to break the law, then let them. You aren't law enforcement, you have absolutely no say in this. All this post is going to do is make people angry and create another massive argument thread. So congratulations for potentially starting a whole new ordeal here because "mUh nAtIvEs"
get outta here.

I agree, this topic is really just made to attack each other. We really should just let people get busted by the law instead of being basically: a online ant FBI that can do nothing about other people keeping exotics.
Come on, people! That’s not even what this thread was made for! This is about the ethics of keeping exotic ants, not pointing fingers at those who smuggle them. He’s just using the guy as an example of the immorality of importing exotics, not trying to crash his reputation or make someone turn him into the authorities.
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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version


#8 Offline AntsDakota - Posted June 24 2020 - 6:39 AM

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And for those who completely misunderstood the nature of this thread, watch this:

https://m.youtube.co...e&v=yzyPnIPcf64

I’m certain that’s where Ants_Exodus got his ideas, as he uses the exact wording.

I know he’s (AC) sort of being a hypocrite in the video, but I still believe what he says about exotic ants is true.
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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version


#9 Offline TechAnt - Posted June 24 2020 - 7:24 AM

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WHO. CARES.
Let people keep the ants that they want to keep. Nobody cares what species of ants you have except for the mall cops in the hobby. OF COURSE it's wrong to break the law, but if people want to break the law, then let them. You aren't law enforcement, you have absolutely no say in this. All this post is going to do is make people angry and create another massive argument thread. So congratulations for potentially starting a whole new ordeal here because "mUh nAtIvEs"
get outta here.

I agree, this topic is really just made to attack each other. We really should just let people get busted by the law instead of being basically: a online ant FBI that can do nothing about other people keeping exotics.
Come on, people! That’s not even what this thread was made for! This is about the ethics of keeping exotic ants, not pointing fingers at those who smuggle them. He’s just using the guy as an example of the immorality of importing exotics, not trying to crash his reputation or make someone turn him into the authorities.
Look, I don’t want to start and argument but:

Everyone here KNOWS the ethics of keeping Exotics, but we can’t do a thing about it! Plus, this topic has already been discussed too many times to count. We really don’t need another thread where we argue over and over again, and end up completely loosing our sense of a friendly antkeeping community by the end of this. That’s all.

Edited by TechAnt, June 24 2020 - 7:27 AM.

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My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#10 Offline AntsDakota - Posted June 24 2020 - 7:38 AM

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WHO. CARES.
Let people keep the ants that they want to keep. Nobody cares what species of ants you have except for the mall cops in the hobby. OF COURSE it's wrong to break the law, but if people want to break the law, then let them. You aren't law enforcement, you have absolutely no say in this. All this post is going to do is make people angry and create another massive argument thread. So congratulations for potentially starting a whole new ordeal here because "mUh nAtIvEs"
get outta here.

I agree, this topic is really just made to attack each other. We really should just let people get busted by the law instead of being basically: a online ant FBI that can do nothing about other people keeping exotics.
Come on, people! That’s not even what this thread was made for! This is about the ethics of keeping exotic ants, not pointing fingers at those who smuggle them. He’s just using the guy as an example of the immorality of importing exotics, not trying to crash his reputation or make someone turn him into the authorities.
Look, I don’t want to start and argument but:
Everyone here KNOWS the ethics of keeping Exotics, but we can’t do a thing about it! Plus, this topic has already been discussed too many times to count. We really don’t need another thread where we argue over and over again, and end up completely loosing our sense of a friendly antkeeping community by the end of this. That’s all.
Well, there are some people on this forum who don’t know.

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version


#11 Offline TechAnt - Posted June 24 2020 - 7:39 AM

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WHO. CARES.
Let people keep the ants that they want to keep. Nobody cares what species of ants you have except for the mall cops in the hobby. OF COURSE it's wrong to break the law, but if people want to break the law, then let them. You aren't law enforcement, you have absolutely no say in this. All this post is going to do is make people angry and create another massive argument thread. So congratulations for potentially starting a whole new ordeal here because "mUh nAtIvEs"
get outta here.

I agree, this topic is really just made to attack each other. We really should just let people get busted by the law instead of being basically: a online ant FBI that can do nothing about other people keeping exotics.
Come on, people! That’s not even what this thread was made for! This is about the ethics of keeping exotic ants, not pointing fingers at those who smuggle them. He’s just using the guy as an example of the immorality of importing exotics, not trying to crash his reputation or make someone turn him into the authorities.
Look, I don’t want to start and argument but:
Everyone here KNOWS the ethics of keeping Exotics, but we can’t do a thing about it! Plus, this topic has already been discussed too many times to count. We really don’t need another thread where we argue over and over again, and end up completely loosing our sense of a friendly antkeeping community by the end of this. That’s all.
Well, there are some people on this forum who don’t know.
When I mean ‘everyone here’ I meant everyone that has posted/liked stuff on the thread.
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#12 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 24 2020 - 7:41 AM

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  It is a sad reflection of our society that debating creates enmity between us.


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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 


#13 Offline TechAnt - Posted June 24 2020 - 7:42 AM

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It is a sad reflection of our society that debating creates enmity between us.


I know. So I want to say in advance if this gets out of hand that I mean no insult or rudeness to anyone here.
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My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#14 Offline ponerinecat - Posted June 24 2020 - 7:46 AM

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WHO. CARES.
Let people keep the ants that they want to keep. Nobody cares what species of ants you have except for the mall cops in the hobby. OF COURSE it's wrong to break the law, but if people want to break the law, then let them. You aren't law enforcement, you have absolutely no say in this. All this post is going to do is make people angry and create another massive argument thread. So congratulations for potentially starting a whole new ordeal here because "mUh nAtIvEs"
get outta here.

I agree, this topic is really just made to attack each other. We really should just let people get busted by the law instead of being basically: a online ant FBI that can do nothing about other people keeping exotics.
Come on, people! That’s not even what this thread was made for! This is about the ethics of keeping exotic ants, not pointing fingers at those who smuggle them. He’s just using the guy as an example of the immorality of importing exotics, not trying to crash his reputation or make someone turn him into the authorities.
Look, I don’t want to start and argument but:
Everyone here KNOWS the ethics of keeping Exotics, but we can’t do a thing about it! Plus, this topic has already been discussed too many times to count. We really don’t need another thread where we argue over and over again, and end up completely loosing our sense of a friendly antkeeping community by the end of this. That’s all.
Well, there are some people on this forum who don’t know.

 

Mmyes, we must educate the inactive people who probably forgot about this forum in the first place. Pretty much everyone who actually uses this forum has seen this debate pop up many, many times. No need for another.


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#15 Offline TechAnt - Posted June 24 2020 - 7:48 AM

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Now uh, can we cut this thread’s lifespan now?
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#16 Offline ponerinecat - Posted June 24 2020 - 7:49 AM

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Again, what's the point in "debating" ethics. If we could change each others opinions, I'm sure it would have already happened. Ethics themselves change from person to person, and judging from the sheer number of times we've had this argument, its likely no ones perception of ethics will change. At this point its just a matter of either destroying each other over differing opinions, which has already broken so many aspects of human relations to each other and the environment, or simply live and let live, because bringing it up will do nothing but cause a fracture to the detriment of both sides.


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#17 Offline AntsExodus - Posted June 24 2020 - 8:18 AM

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Sorry guys I didn't mean it to go this way I wanted to show an example about what's going on and was trying to influence new people that keeping exotics is bad. I'm sorry if you guys thought something else. I just wanted to help people out.


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#18 Offline TechAnt - Posted June 24 2020 - 9:37 AM

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Sorry guys I didn't mean it to go this way I wanted to show an example about what's going on and was trying to influence new people that keeping exotics is bad. I'm sorry if you guys thought something else. I just wanted to help people out.


It’s ok. But you can see now that these topics are pointless and unrequired. This should also serve as a lesson to everyone thinking these threads are needed.
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My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#19 Offline Vendayn - Posted June 24 2020 - 12:34 PM

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If its legal to keep exotics then its fine and no one should care. People care too much what people do outside the US and complain about their laws (or lack of laws) about any topic that may offend them, including keeping exotic ants. Guess what, turns out the US has more laws than most countries do and pretty sure its people that just hate that other people have more freedom than people in the US do. Its why so many people hate antscanada, cause he is free to keep anything he wants unlike in the US and people are jealous that he has more freedom.

The point is people need to mind their own business and if they hate they have no freedom then campaign for it or move. that's what antscanada did he said he loves the freedom he has compared to canada. Us and canada are just prison nations with tons of people in prison more than any other nation.

And as far as ants go, turns out ant keeping hobby is far more successful in free countries. What a surprise. Fun fact, when something is illegal creates dangerous black markets. A great example is australia legalizing prostitution. Suddenly crime went down, murder went down and diseases vastly went down. Also they got treated a lot better in a safer environment. Or alcohol being illegal created dangerous underground black markets for it.

Point of that is make something illegal, you get situations that end up worse. Or like ant community, witch hunts that actually drive more people to black market ant trading. And then people lie about keeping exotics because of the witch hunts which is actually worse

Edited by Vendayn, June 24 2020 - 1:00 PM.

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#20 Offline Vendayn - Posted June 24 2020 - 1:20 PM

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Since above was getting long.

The people who rant and complain so much about exotics, especially if they don't even live there, are most likely to actually also keep exotics. They lie and join the witch hunts because they don't want to be hunted




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