Pogonomyrmex barbatus (Red harvester ants)

[yen_saw]

Yes, i do. Sadly no one is living in them right now. Hint, hint. Keep me in mind when you go collecting this year. I will also keep you in mind.

Ok you are set! ^_^

 

[yen_saw]

Very cool Yen, how long will a colony live? I assume you have to separate new queens and males and start a new colony every so often?

The colony will keep going as long as the queen is alive..... and she may live on for 20+ years. So the colony will probably retire the same time as me :wheelchair:

(Maybe i am not as lucky! - work till i drop)

All the males are dead soon after nuptial flight and i keep each queen individually. The established Pogonomyrmex colony only has a single queen. There is no inbreeding for ant so i won't be able to start a new colony that way.

 

[aNisip]

Thanks Yen, ill most likely use Vaseline since it is what I have most readily available....and also, I enjoy seeing ants dig new tunnels and such, but I also don't want to deal with the constant upkeep like you would have to for a reg ant farm with sand/dirt, but would like it to be large enough for them to be comfortable for a couple years? How should I go about this dilemma? Thanks, and sorry for my many questions...

All the best,

Andrew

 

[yen_saw]

Andrew, the colony can reproduce rather quick. Best is to find a certain container size that fits the colony (not too small or too big), and upgrade the size as the colony grows. Email me if you have more question.

 

[RocknessMonster]

Eep! More power to you for having pet ants!

(rather scared of ants) But the cage is pretty nice looking!

 

[AxolotlsAreCoolToo]

cool must be fun the see the lifle cycles of the colony how long does the colony last?

 

[aNisip]

cool must be fun the see the lifle cycles of the colony how long does the colony last?

As long as the queen is alive for...for this species, abt 20 years like Yen said...go back and read some of the posts, Yen talked abt this...

 

[Malakyoma]

Andrew, the colony can reproduce rather quick. Best is to find a certain container size that fits the colony (not too small or too big), and upgrade the size as the colony grows. Email me if you have more question.

But then the rest of us dont get to see the answer