Loops Collection Thread

[Loops117]

I can teach you how to start your first.... It's a very captivating hobby. And about 10x cheaper then my mantids. For instance, every container and nest you see for my ants added up still doesnt touch the cost of my male ghost, let alone my female. Right now, i'm waiting on my ghost pair to mate. Then i'll be colonizing them in a large communal tank.

 

[JoeWilliamson]

Really? On all of the UK sites they seem to be considerably more expensive what with equipment and everthing? http://antsuk.com/

 

[Loops117]

All my ants i found for free, and i'm more then happy to give pointers, and point you to a good forum for anting.

Also, i don't buy any pre-made stuff. I make all my nests myself, which cuts down on cost considerably. The smaller nests and outworlds you see in the video cost me approx $4 to make. $1 for the clear container, $2.50 for the lexan, which i cut myself, and the screws. You could honestly make a huge nest for even cheaper with clear Tupperware and some tubing. Feeding is also cheaper considering they'll eat whatever you eat, just much smaller portions. I'd say if you're looking to get into it, start checking out ants around your house and see what's common. Flights happen throughout the warmer months, which is good for beginners. Queens and Drones will be flying/mating/swarming, and that's usually how you find your start.

 

[dmina]

Congrats on your Ghosts making it to adult! and the success of your ant farms..

 

[Loops117]

Congrats on your Ghosts making it to adult! and the success of your ant farms..

Thank you. And, isn't one of my mantids supposed to have wings, or some form? The male i think? He doesn't have anything that i've noticed. And they look smaller then theye supposed to. Both my male and female were bought at L5, and they've both had two successful molts. Plenty of food, and high humidity all the time. Any clue?

 

[dmina]

Oh I thought you said they made it to adult... Yes, both should have wings that is when they are adult... In the one video I seen their bud wings...so more likely the next molt will bring them into adulthood... Ghosts have nice wings... so you will know when the wings come in...

 

[Loops117]

Yes, both had reached L7, or what i believe to be L7 before this video was shot. Both bought at L5, and both had two molts since purchase. Did i not feed these guys enough?

 

[Loops117]

Wait, dedicated care sheet says 7 molts....That means they stop at L8 and not L7? If so, i am sorry.

 

[Sarah K]

Wait, dedicated care sheet says 7 molts....That means they stop at L8 and not L7? If so, i am sorry.

yes.....you did not do anything wrong yet....you have one more molt left!

 

[Loops117]

yes.....you did not do anything wrong yet....you have one more molt left!

Thank you!

Should i separate them after they molt for a couple of weeks? They've never been separated since purchase.

 

[Sarah K]

Thank you!

Should i separate them after they molt for a couple of weeks? They've never been separated since purchase.

I would. Not sure if it really matters, but I have seen that my males (several different species) seem more interested in mating with the females after a separation period. Once they both molt to adulthood, I would separate them for two or three weeks, and when you reintroduce the female to him, he should be much more excited to see her, and it should spur him into action.

 

[Loops117]

I would. Not sure if it really matters, but I have seen that my males (several different species) seem more interested in mating with the females after a separation period. Once they both molt to adulthood, I would separate them for two or three weeks, and when you reintroduce the female to him, he should be much more excited to see her, and it should spur him into action.

Thank you very much. I'll be doing this.

 

[Sticky]

I'm picking up a fly and roach culture tmrw. My local shop was out yesterday. My ants will also eat the flies and roaches, so it'll work out.

Ants can kill your mantids so I would avoid feeding them to your mantids.

 

[Loops117]

Ants can kill your mantids so I would avoid feeding them to your mantids.

Oh yes, i am fully aware of the capabilities of an ant. They stay completely separate. But i can't speak for the 1 or 2 that get out on occasion while feeding.... =D

 

[Loops117]

This time it's true. My pokemon have finally hit their last evolution.

Khal and Khaleesi are are adults now. I've split them up since night 1 of adulthood. Since then, i've noticed some strange behavior. The first full day of adulthood, both Khal and Khaleesi's heads were fixated on one another, and would re position if i put anything between them. Also, not once have they hung from the top of their vivarium, or tried to escape. Well, since i removed my female, my male has been hanging from the top screen and starring intently out the door, his face practically pressed up against the glass. I think he misses his mate. This is the first time they've been apart since i bought Khaleesi. Which btw, she threw a fit when she realized she was being separated. 

 

[Loops117]

Ooops, forgot this.

 

[Sarah K]

This time it's true. My pokemon have finally hit their last evolution.

Khal and Khaleesi are are adults now. I've split them up since night 1 of adulthood. Since then, i've noticed some strange behavior. The first full day of adulthood, both Khal and Khaleesi's heads were fixated on one another, and would re position if i put anything between them. Also, not once have they hung from the top of their vivarium, or tried to escape. Well, since i removed my female, my male has been hanging from the top screen and starring intently out the door, his face practically pressed up against the glass. I think he misses his mate. This is the first time they've been apart since i bought Khaleesi. Which btw, she threw a fit when she realized she was being separated. 

There you go! Now they have the wings they are supposed to have.  They both look really good! Sounds like they will be super excited to reconnect when you finally put them together again! Over the last month or so, my ghosts have finally started molting to adulthood too. I need to update my collection thread with pics again.

 

[Loops117]

There you go! Now they have the wings they are supposed to have.  They both look really good! Sounds like they will be super excited to reconnect when you finally put them together again! Over the last month or so, my ghosts have finally started molting to adulthood too. I need to update my collection thread with pics again.

ty ty. I've been super excited for this day to come. Do mantids have feelings? Cuz i think Khal is missing his girl.

 

[Sarah K]

ty ty. I've been super excited for this day to come. Do mantids have feelings? Cuz i think Khal is missing his girl.

Perhaps!? They definitely seem much more intelligent than a lot of other insects, if you ask me!

 

[Loops117]

Lol, my mantids have separation anxiety.