Hi all,
I have taken up ant keeping as I need a new hobby. It’s the sort of activity that suits me as it adds a novel dimension to my life, and a chance to experience something exciting.
Ants are something like a “laboratory pet” that one can start from on a small scale (just a single test tube) and grow into the activity later (with larger formicaria, outworlds). This is unlike the case of fish keeping, which is far more complicated and needs much commitment and investment in resources at the outset. I don't really feel like keeping the usual sort of pets anymore; they're a bit of a burden. But ants are different, and occupy much less space.
In this information age, I have spent too much time online, and really should be engaged in some hands-on activity, especially as I'm not great with my hands. Of course I have increased my time in the virtual world by looking up information and watching videos on ants – but that is a necessity. As a beginner, I’m pleased to keep it simple and follow advice that I’ve encountered online with confidence. My favourite channel is Ants Canada, and having watched the videos there, I realise this is the very activity I can add to my repertoire.
I keep my eyes open for queen ants as much as possible, and have enjoyed the thrill of catching them, but not as often as I’d like. It’s really really difficult to spot them. But I need to persevere in order to ensure a steady supply of potentially growing colonies. And resist the unbearable temptation of checking up on them!
I’m from Singapore. No one knows I’ve started ant keeping (yet). Maybe one day…
