48 replies to this topic

[futurebird]

Some background on the colony:

 

I've had them for about 4 months and they have grown out of their test tube and into a small wooden formicarium. 

 

 screenshot_3981.png   738.73KB   6 downloads

 

The first time one of them left the test tube to visit the feeder box:

 

 screenshot_3982.png   793.94KB   6 downloads

 

They grew in numbers:

 

 screenshot_3983.png   1.23MB   5 downloads

 

They hunted fruit flies with glee.

 

 screenshot_3984.png   1.08MB   5 downloads

 

And grew even more:

 

 screenshot_3985.png   1.21MB   4 downloads

 

When there were about 18 of them I moved them to a tiny wooden set up. They moved easily as soon as they discovered it connected to their little outworld. 

 

 screenshot_3987.png   1.2MB   4 downloads

 

Though, by then their test tube was pretty gross! 

 

 screenshot_3986.png   1.67MB   4 downloads

 

They seemed to like the wooden home.

 

 screenshot_3988.png   936.5KB   3 downloads

 

Soon I could tell that majors were on the way!

 

 screenshot_3989.png   1.14MB   3 downloads

 

I've posted most of this journey on reddit, including a few videos. But I was so happy to meet:

 

 screenshot_3978.png   202.88KB   3 downloads

 

Now I wonder if they need an even bigger nest. I have a cork nest from "ant cube" ... but it's very large. I've partitioned it but I don't know about introducing them to it. There are about 40 of them now. 

 

 

Edited by futurebird, June 27 2021 - 5:51 PM.

[futurebird]

 screenshot_3992.png   2.13MB   3 downloads

 

So this is the nest I'm thinking of moving them in to. It is, of course too big. But, I've blocked it off into smaller sections... IDK if this is a good idea or not and could use some feedback... They need more space and I don't know what to do...

 

 screenshot_3993.png   2.61MB   4 downloads

 

 

I made the partitions "crumbly" so that ants can easily break through the cork. 

 

 screenshot_3994.png   2.11MB   3 downloads

 

 

They would have a space initially that isn't much bigger than what they know now... but will they be able to expand on their own? Has anyone tried this?

 

 screenshot_3995.png   3.02MB   3 downloads

 

 

Edited by futurebird, June 27 2021 - 7:12 PM.

[Shazza]

Looking like a fun journal to follow, sorry I can't give advice on the size and cork set up though.

[futurebird]

Thanks, Shazza. Hopefully someone will have some thoughts on their new set up. It's a much bigger outworld too, that might overwhelm them. But, I've noticed they almost always have 4 or 5 ants outside of the nest. I give them two more weeks tops in the current set up. One of them tried to make a nest under the water feeder (but none of the other ants liked it, she just hangs out there alone. But this digging behaviour makes me think they need more nest space. )

 

I can put their entire current nest in the out world and just let them explore and see what they like... Leaning towards doing this. But when I do that I won't be able to mess with the cork easily anymore. 

[Shazza]

Thanks, Shazza. Hopefully someone will have some thoughts on their new set up. It's a much bigger outworld too, that might overwhelm them. But, I've noticed they almost always have 4 or 5 ants outside of the nest. I give them two more weeks tops in the current set up. One of them tried to make a nest under the water feeder (but none of the other ants liked it, she just hangs out there alone. But this digging behaviour makes me think they need more nest space. )
 
I can put their entire current nest in the out world and just let them explore and see what they like... Leaning towards doing this. But when I do that I won't be able to mess with the cork easily anymore.

Ye I would give them a few more weeks, the outworld and nest look ok for the size of the colony at the moment.

As you say you can always put the nest in the outworld and then let them make the decision on what they like

Make sure to take photos. Some of those close ups are great

[Kaelwizard]

My only worry would be that the nest is too big and would be used as a garbage can. Cork plus ant garbage is not a good combo.

[futurebird]

My only worry would be that the nest is too big and would be used as a garbage can. Cork plus ant garbage is not a good combo.

 

Do you think they'd open the blocks just to put garbage in there? 

 

I mean they might, they like to drag all of their dead insects into the nest and aren't the best about getting them out.

 

I've read that nests with entrances at the bottom are supposed to discourage garbage since ants are lazy and don't move garbage vertically as much as down... This is worth thinking about though, thanks. 

[Kaelwizard]

My only worry would be that the nest is too big and would be used as a garbage can. Cork plus ant garbage is not a good combo.

Do you think they'd open the blocks just to put garbage in there?

I mean they might, they like to drag all of their dead insects into the nest and aren't the best about getting them out.

I've read that nests with entrances at the bottom are supposed to discourage garbage since ants are lazy and don't move garbage vertically as much as down... This is worth thinking about though, thanks.

It could happen but like you said, ants can be lazy. I wouldn’t worry about it too much, but keep it in mind.

[futurebird]

I moved them into the larger outworld. They explored the bigger nest but ignored it. Which is fine. It's there if they need it. 

The good news is after the move they cleaned out all the dead bug trash they had stored in part of their little wooden nest. So, now they are good to stay in that one for a lot longer. 

 

They seem to like the space. And I've caught the queen laying an egg twice since the move. I think because now they are easier for me to watch. 

 

 screenshot_4077.png   3.9MB   3 downloads

 

They are such gentle elegant little ants. And not so little ants, considering the majors. I love seeing them run all over the larger space. They are so fast and graceful. 

 

 screenshot_4078.png   3.49MB   2 downloads

 

They have not done much differently since the move, beyond getting rid of all the dead bug trash. 

 

 screenshot_4076.png   3.37MB   2 downloads

 

They can take their time to move. I suspect it will be months or even not this year. But I think the larger outworld is good for them.

 

 screenshot_4080.png   3.6MB   2 downloads

 

I'm going to experiment with putting their food "far away" as they seem to like to explore the whole space. 

I will keep their water feeder near as, I do worry about water for them in a wooden nest. 

[Shazza]

Looking good, love the glass tank set up. It will be great the watch them explore

[futurebird]

They are very much at home now in the new space. Took an amusing video of them foraging today.

 

[Shazza]

They are very much at home now in the new space. Took an amusing video of them foraging today.

Can't view the video as it's saying it's private?

[futurebird]

Is it visible now?

[Shazza]

Yep working now, Nice clip

[futurebird]

I can't get over the way they flail their legs when trying to cut things up. Does that even help??

[cap_backfire]

This is awesome.  I moved my discolors into a VERY large enclosure and let them decide how they wanted it.   It has wood panels against three walls of a 29 gallon tank with pre-carved tunnels and chambers but I have only heated one side so far, which is obviously where they decided to keep their amazing brood pile.   About half of them live in this setup and the other half either roam or are huddling somewhere I can't see them readily.  
your cork setup is SO COOL, I might get one of those for my next Camponotus colony when it gets (much) larger.   
Thanks for posting this journal!  

[futurebird]

There were spiders in my old notebooks. So, the girls get a special breakfast. Also, they have started building with sand!

 

[futurebird]

Another video of this colony. This one has music and just just a relaxing compilation of colony life. With a focus on a new major eclosing that I filmed today. They seem to be doing well.

 

https://youtu.be/tP1WBii2_nM

Edited by futurebird, July 16 2021 - 6:50 PM.

[futurebird]

Well they still have not moved into the cork nest. But they are doing very well! Look at the colony now:

 

 

 

I have ordered a larger wooden nest for them which I will place in the outworld. 

[futurebird]

I got a new camera and here is one of my first photos.