31 replies to this topic

[ponerinecat]

Are horizontal ones good for stigmatommas because I heard they can't really do the vertical formicarium? If it gives good humidity is it enough for a colony of stigmatomma?

Why the heck are you considering stigmatomma this early on and how the heck do you have access to them. 

[jimglim1234]

There's actually a couple my friends in Front royal and Richmond who raised them in captivity before and asked if I wanted a queen

[jimglim1234]

and also for the same reason I said why I kinda was leaning towards them rather than pogonomyrmex, mainly size of colony I heard stigmatomma has a small colony

[jimglim1234]

Can pogonomyrmex occidentalis chew through? Might make a plaster seems cheaper just get a 10 gallon tank

[ponerinecat]

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis are easy. Stigmatomma not so much.

[ponerinecat]

You really need to cool down on your search for ants, find some easy common species and experiment with them for a while, learning all the basics. The fact that you don't know the difference between different Pogonomyrmex species is a clear warning sign that you shouldn't go after harder, more elusive ants. Like any hobby involving animals, go slow. It's not as simple as it looks. Not trying to discourage you, but just try to make some more reasonable goals.

[jimglim1234]

Can pogonomyrmex climb plaster easy or do I have to carve my plaster a specific way? I'm getting a 12inch H, 12inch L and 8.5 W

[Manitobant]

As ponerinecat said I'd start with something easy like lasius or camponotus. The fact that youre overreacting about all these variables means you're probably not teady for Pogonomyrmex.

[PogoQueen]

Ponerinecat is right and I would recommend starting with a slow growing, non stinging species like Camponotus. You can refine your containment over time. Good luck!

[DDD101DDD]

In my honest opinion, Camponotus isn't a very good starter species. Their lack of cooperation with others when foraging(at least in my experience) is very tiresome, as it'll take about 3 hours for them to bring something simple back to their nest. I've actually seen them pulling in 2 different directions too, which just makes the amount of time they get food back to the nest even longer. They also grow very slowly and are very inactive for the first few years. They also leave food in their nest for weeks on end, resulting in mold. So I think a species like Lasius would be a perfect starter, as they're still flying, they grow at a decent pace, they don't stress as easily as Pogonomyrmex, accept a wide variety of food, and they actually work together and throw trash out. Also in my experience with Pogonomyrmex, they're quite picky about the seeds they take, sometimes taking very few or no seeds at all. Mine have also left seeds in their nest until they molded, which killed about 3 workers.

Edited by DDD101DDD, September 6 2020 - 3:47 PM.

[ANTdrew]

In my honest opinion, Camponotus isn't a very good starter species. Their lack of cooperation with others when foraging(at least in my experience) is very tiresome, as it'll take about 3 hours for them to bring something simple back to their nest. I've actually seen them pulling in 2 different directions too, which just makes the amount of time they get food back to the nest even longer. They also grow very slowly and are very inactive for the first few years. They also leave food in their nest for weeks on end, resulting in mold. So I think a species like Lasius would be a perfect starter, as they're still flying, they grow at a decent pace, they don't stress as easily as Pogonomyrmex, accept a wide variety of food, and they actually work together and throw trash out. Also in my experience with Pogonomyrmex, they're quite picky about the seeds they take, sometimes taking very few or no seeds at all. Mine have also left seeds in their nest until they molded, which killed about 3 workers.

I agree with all this. None of the larger species of ants, especially Camponotus, are easy beginner species. Finding non-parasitic Lasius in Virginia is like finding a 6mm unicorn, though. I’ve spent three years trying every fricking day, to no avail. I’ve only ever found one, which turned out to be a dud. Meanwhile, I find hundreds of queens from every other genera.

Edited by ANTdrew, September 6 2020 - 4:37 PM.

[NickAnter]

I think Lasius are a great starter, if you are looking for relatively slow growing. Super hardy, and not too great at escaping.