Jäger: Never-sleeping-ants (30. Sep 2004 14:48)

HI

I have been keeping various invetebrates for 12 years, but now I´m into ants. Still I´m a novice - and for that reason I need some advice.

My concerns is about what specie to choose. Lasius niger is recommended as a good beginner-ant, but I want my ants to be active all year round. I suppose that if Lasius niger don´t get their hibernation that it would stress the coloni, and finally kill the ants. But what do You think?

Then I´ve been looking at leafcutter ants, that some says is good beginner-ants as well. But it seems that they need a lot of space. But what I like about them is that they don´t need lowering of the temperature during winter. I´m confident in make terraiums that are heated and escape proof.

What small ant specie which don´t need hibernation, is suitiable for a beginner?

Deanola: (1. Okt 2004 20:55)

I dont think that leaf cutters are suitable for beginners, its not so much keeping the ants alive but providing the right temperature and humidity for the fungus that they live on is critical and the fungus dies, so do the ants!.

If kept correctly most species of ants colonies are going to grow quite large, its what they do in nature.

gonzobey: (3. Okt 2004 08:03)

I would recommend you to not start with Leafcutting ants. They need lot of space and difficult conditions to keep them well growing. Also you need a good basic knowledge about ants and how to keep them apropriate to the specie.

So I would recommend you to take a look into the shop and find a specie with hazard class 1. There you can find many other non-exotic species which are very interessting, e.g. Camponotus ligniperda....

If you need more advises or have other things for discussion, don´t be shy to come here again :wink:

greetings
Bianca

Scàth-Siorrai: (5. Okt 2004 17:51)

I dont think that leaf cutters are suitable for beginners, its not so much keeping the ants alive but providing the right temperature and humidity for the fungus that they live on is critical and the fungus dies, so do the ants!.

If kept correctly most species of ants colonies are going to grow quite large, its what they do in nature.

actually they regulate their population in function of the available space

Jäger: (6. Okt 2004 17:22)

Hi

When I look at the description of Pheidole pallidula, it says that it is suitable for beginners. And that it could be kept at room temperature, even during winter. That ant seems to be the one for me.

But You wrote that I should look for a ant with the hazard class 1, and Pheidole has hazard class 3. How come?

Regards Jãger

jogi: Pheidole (26. Okt 2004 10:46)

It could not exclude, that Pheidole could become a pest ant. To avoid the risks we put them in class 3. It is easy to hold them but it is very important to avoid escaping. Therefore you should have some experience. So, try Messor for example. It is not very easy, but also not to difficult. And very interesting!

Jäger: (26. Okt 2004 11:40)

Hi

Okay, so that is the reason... Thank You for the answer.

Still I wonder why a beginner are only recommended european species, which requires hibernation.

Of course most of them are not so expensive, but they are inactive during serveral months every year. And furthermore, hibernation conditions are after my opinion much harder to control, than a steady temperature all year through.

So I´m back to my first question. A beginner ant, that don´t require hibernation. Which specie?

FLechdrop: (27. Okt 2004 09:11)

Are there even any species who don't need to hibernate? Because my Pheidole pallidula clearly wanted to hibernate as well.

jogi: hibernation (27. Okt 2004 14:52)

Hi,
you are right, often is is easier to hold uncomplicated ants from warmer regions, than european species, that need their hibernation. In many cases, we recommend that species because of the reason, that we have the season, the ants are made for. So it is easy from principle to give them the conditions they need. In most cases it is possible to keep them in the basement for the winter. For tropical ants it is not easy to get the optimal humidity especially in Winter, when the air is very dry. But many european species you can hold without hibernation! You must try it. For example Myrmica rubra doesn´t really need hibernation. And to my thinking Messor too. So try it, or get startet with Acromyrmex.
Good luck

Jogi

Scàth-Siorrai: (28. Okt 2004 22:40)

all european species need hibernation except aphaenogaster senilis,if not there is a risk that the queen dies or stops lating eggs...you also shorten the life of the queen without hibernation.the colony will also grow much slower without hibernation.