26 replies to this topic

[The_Gaming-gate]

I'd give them an outworld once the workers harden. Also make sure to keep an eye on their seed storage, they are known to mold.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Yeah I put them into a tubs&tubes setup.

[The_Gaming-gate]

Great! I know they’ll do well.

[bmb1bee]

I would take this with a grain of salt, but the red acrylic thing seems to be a myth from what I've heard from the more experienced keepers. It doesn't have too much of an effect, unless if you happen to be keeping ants that are particularly sensitive to light. Most ants can be acclimated to dim or indirect light, though keeping them in the dark would be best of course. 

[Ernteameise]

I would take this with a grain of salt, but the red acrylic thing seems to be a myth from what I've heard from the more experienced keepers. It doesn't have too much of an effect, unless if you happen to be keeping ants that are particularly sensitive to light. Most ants can be acclimated to dim or indirect light, though keeping them in the dark would be best of course. 

This is partially true.

There are scientific papers on the sight of ants.

They checked for rods and cones in the eyes of ants (like in vertebrate eyes) and have found out that most ants indeed do not see colors or red light. They are color blind, like most mammals are.

This makes sense, since ants have evolved to live underground and live in a world of smell. Many ant species have bad eye sight in general and very small eyes.

 

However. There are species (especially hunting species, and species like Myrmecia and Gigantiops = which literally means "giant eye") that see very well and also see all colors.

 

Also, while most ants do not see red light, they do see light intensities. I can observe this very well- I have a red light which has 2 intensities- 1. weak and soft and 2. full red floodlight. If I shine the soft red light on my colonies, all is well and they go about their business and do not mind. If I shine the full power flashlight on them, all of them freak out.

 

I observed with my own colonies that while they can adapt to normal light, they will prefer a red cover and feel more save there.

Edited by Ernteameise, April 22 2024 - 11:21 AM.

[OhNoNotAgain]

To be fair, I don't bother at all with red filters any more. I used to. Young colonies (e.g. just a few workers) I tend to put in shaded areas, but older, thriving colonies just sort of sit around wherever I put them (some even tolerate afternoon sun, and in fact love the extra heat). For me, the one BIG exception is Prenolepis. They are super sensitive. My Veromessor, though, just hang out with their flat glass top nests and get normal light.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

4 more workers enclosed