maxfly: Approaching the hibernation what will must do? (15. Sep 2006 12:26)

Hi every antkeeper...one month and much species goes hibernation, actually I know that the formicarium must be stay in place with 8-10c° until half october-half march... I know that they dont need food seems obiuvsly...

But for example about humidity I have a doubt formicarium will be bathed as usual?

and there is something other of important that I would have to know?

Thanks in advance

greet

--
Max

NuEM: (15. Sep 2006 16:09)

Slowly cool them down from room temperature to 5°-10°C. This should take at least a week, so they can acclimate slowly.

Once they are in hibernation they still need some water, so keep the nest as moist as it was before. Check the nest at least once every week. Number 1 reasons for death during hibernation are thirst, and drowning.

maxfly: (15. Sep 2006 17:05)

@Nuem

Thanks, Im forgoten one thing, If the colony will be still in the test tube, changes something? The temperature will have to be the same one(5-10C°)?

And in any case the temperature does not must go down under the 5 and never to go up over the 15?

--
Max

JimmyVe: (15. Sep 2006 20:03)

if they still are in the tube, you better keep it between 5-10C°. when they are in a sand nest it may go under the 5c°. underneath the sand it will stay a little warmer ;)

if the temperature is above 15c° for to long they probably stop with there hibernation.

Like Nuem sad, make sure they don't have to much or to little water.

Greets

Psychosimian: (24. Sep 2006 08:26)

Presumably if it gets to 0°C then they will freeze and die?

NuEM: (24. Sep 2006 22:10)

Not necessarily, if they had time enough to prepare, they will most like survive a few degree below zero, without much trouble.

But why take the risk, if you can avoid it.

Psychosimian: (24. Sep 2006 22:18)

Because I dont have any options? :)

mpir: (8. Okt 2006 12:45)

@ Psychosimian

0 C shouldn't worry you. Ants prepair for low temperatures. Queens stop laying eggs. Larva is the only type of pre ant stage that survives winter. And they lose a lot of water when temperatures are low. This is why they look wrinkeld.
Ants eat alot before winter. They eat more and gain some body fat which will keep them alive during hibernation. They also empty their intestins and social stomach. In doing so ants body fluids become more dense and contain less water and more salt. This is how ants can survive also temperatures below zero. During hibernation they don't move much so they don't burn a lot of energy.

Psychosimian: (10. Okt 2006 16:34)

Well, my queen laid some eggs a week or two ago and the activity levels have dropped to practically nothing. They dragged the first moth i put in there into their nest, played with the next one and now dont seem to even notice if i put any food in.

I've stopped using the heat lamp in the day so they can start to get used to the cold. For hibernation, i think i am going to get a little air tight box, cut out a section and replace it with wire mesh, so it has oxygen but is escape proof, put the test tube in and then put it in the fridge till late January.

I'll also put some water and honey solution in there incase they wake up thirsty! :)

This way i can redesign the interior of the arena over winter whilst keeping them at a constant temperature :)

JimmyVe: (10. Okt 2006 19:49)

not bad, make sure you check on them once in a wile, that they still have water.

[1] [2]