Images of items I have purchased (except trainers [no feet pics])

^^ Thought that looked familiar

hnEaqCN.jpeg
 
dirtychinchilla said:
What are you doing with them?
Click to expand...
starting an ant colony.
actually 2 of them because I ordered another queen that already comes with workers.
I think I made a mistake buying just a queen with eggs, I didn't realise it could take 2 months before she even has workers looking after her and probably another 2 before she could move into a small nest. (blame chat GPT I asked it and it told me wrong info lol it gave some BS times that are twice as fast as with the actual species I asked about.)

she can't really move into a nest/outworld until shes got minimum 10 workers, ideally 20-40. which could be 3-4 months of them living in a dark test tube being fed a few seeds and a bit of protein most days.

I was thinking I could "ethically" freeze her, she would hibernate before death as they hibernate at 15c so she probably wouldn't feel a thing.
but morally it feels like it would be so evil to do such a thing.

probably give her to a family member to look after once she has some workers, if not theres always someone on an ant keeping forum who would take a queen and a few workers at a later date.
people rehouse whole colonies al the time, some shops will take unwanted colonies even.

I'll post the new queen probably today :D and I'll post photos of the setup I'll be using once it arrives.


yea it's kinda a weird interest but I am Autistic so that likely plays a large part, I remember watching cutter ant colony at Woolington hall in Nottingham when I was young.
in reality is it really any weirder than keeping a spider, I had considered a jumping spider or preying mantis, but settled on seed eating ants to avoid messing around with live food
 
Last edited:
LuckyBenski said:
I stopped reading here. You will be having a lot of problems if you continue to rely on chatGPT so much. Just from your posting I can see you've stopped using your own skills and just started asking the bot. It won't end well.
Click to expand...
yea I'm aware chatgpt sucks and posts misinformation all the time.

I've done a lot of research in their needs and the actual taking care of them and spent a lot of money already it's not something I'm jumping into blindly.
going for the higher end nest and outworld so what I buy is properly designed for them, can keep the correct humidity needed without mould risks etc. (already ordered and probably arriving next week from https://www.antantics.wales/ proper hobby grade stuff)

already got proso millet and chia seeds for them organic expensive ones.
pesticides or treated shells can kill a colony.
Got dried meal worms for their rare protein days.
multiple test tubes for when the ones they are in now get too much mould or algae
distilled water for the ants too drink

I'm aware of any wood or stones that go in the outworld require boiling or baking to kill mites, remove tannins and sterilise them etc
I'm aware their sand substrate can't be any old sand because fine sand dust can suffocate them.
heating gear so I can keep part of the nest a constant 24c for optimal colony growth, apart from the few months they hibernate 15c or lower temps.
got them a nice resin log thats totally inert and 100% safe from white fluffy mould, which will kill a colony.
not sure what other deco I can add since their first outworld is only
  • 226mm (L) x 126mm (W) x 140mm (H)
Pulse proportional thermostat so part of the nest can actually hold a 24c temp with no fluctuations. they are going to live like kings.
JMKMhdi.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Hope you document your ant colony @arknor

I expect you probably already watch it but the youtube channel Ants Canada, or something, has some incredible videos. He started with lots of ant colonies but recently has built an incredible multi-species environment. That series is well worth a watch
 
My second queen came yesterday another Messor Barbarus but a Fire red sold as with 1-5 workers. (will live in a separate habitat or the queens would fight)

already at a stage the first one probably won't reach for 3 months.
Messor barbarus is a species of harvester ant native to Southern Europe and Northern Africa. The "fire red" or "red selection" refers to a variant of Messor barbarus with a more pronounced red coloration on the queen and/or some workers, particularly in the head and abdomen. This variant is often bred and sold by ant keepers and suppliers
Click to expand...
Also bought a red pen torch designed for map reading 635nm wavelength which should be outside of ants visible frequencies (Weltool M6-RD Red)
Yesterday welfare check when they arrived, looks like a huge brood being tended for their, right side I'm guessing is part of a dead insect and 2 chia seeds
qCpNggD.png

Video from this morning.
Doesn't seem like they reacted to the light at all, left side is the wet side with water behind a cotton wool bung, right side is the dry side that lets air in and moisture out.

Not much happening, just taking care of the brood (eggs, larvae, pupae)
their life stages are.
jqCCFpn.png

Some species spin a cocoon of silk for the final stage, but these just don't care and stay naked.

First workers are always small the queen is living on her wing muscles for food stores to feed them, they are called "nanites"
they are tiny and get exhausted fast
future workers will be given better nutrition and care so will be bigger, sometimes one will be especially well cared for and he will become a Major or "soldier ant" as people call them
but that probably won't happen until after 50-100 workers, and the queen will limit how many are allowed.

Junglist said:
Hope you document your ant colony @arknor

I expect you probably already watch it but the youtube channel Ants Canada, or something, has some incredible videos. He started with lots of ant colonies but recently has built an incredible multi-species environment. That series is well worth a watch
Click to expand...
I doubt I will document it, maybe post pics or short videos in "this instant and moment" sometimes.
Yea I watched some of his videos when doing research for how much effort it really is too look after them etc.
 
Last edited:
hughtrimble said:
Very good work moving from a bottle of red to a double whisky.
Click to expand...

well yeah stuck to my plan so far and even after a few weeks i am getting a big part of that buzz as from my usual bottle of red , probably a lot was phycological , still not wanting to join the OTW thread , i enjoy a drink and the chances of me standing in a wedding reception with a lime and soda are pretty low :p but 4 units a week as default aint too bad
unnecessary info to follow ,my caffeine has kicked in
Tbh my stomach was getting too flabby , been intermittent fasting and increased protein, cut carbs ,lost the crisps 6 pack on a weekend , increasing the walking 13mls yesterday (but i don't want a skinny joggers physique ) increased my kettlebell exercises and doing a core routine ...........................
looked at a protein supplement to throw say in my porridge but not sure how healthy these are . damn expensive though
 
MatsyLR said:
What makes them walking trousers? Do they walk for you and your just along for the ride?
Click to expand...
Mmmm I guess water resistant and lighter I guess , I would be happy with standard cargo if light weight for the summer , my ex had some of these for years though and loved em
£40 so not silly money either
Edit I guess some but all walking trousers are also stronger/rip stop ect
 
Last edited:
moon man said:
Mmmm I guess water resistant and lighter I guess , I would be happy with standard cargo if light weight for the summer , my ex had some of these for years though and loved em
£40 so not silly money either
Edit I guess some but all walking trousers are also stronger/rip stop ect
Click to expand...

Helikon Tex is also a good brand for bushcrafty outdoor gear if you're ever after alternatives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom