Odontomachus Outworld

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Yestordsd287

Odontomachus Outworld

Post: # 20849Post Yestordsd287
Tue May 09, 2017 2:30 pm

Hello!
I have a single Odontomachus queen. because of her semi-claustral nature, i desided to crate a homemade outworld for her to roam and forage. i got a plastic container that is 2 inches in height and 6 inches in length and 3.5 inches in width. i want to turn that into an outworld, so i was wondering if i should turn it natural with dirt, sand, others? also how to sterilize sand and dirt? how can i keep this queen inside her container because she is fast and menacing, she ususally when sees the cotton ball of the tube missing tryes to dash for the opening? so how and where to apply the non toxic material to keep her in?
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the queen
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container from above
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side shot
and should i put the test tube inside the container or make a hole to put the test tube throught?
Image
example of the test tube inside the container

Martialis
Posts: 1576
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2016 5:30 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: Odontomachus Outworld

Post: # 20858Post Martialis
Tue May 09, 2017 3:58 pm

That will work. She may appreciate a small amount of substrate. What I've noticed with this kind of setup is that they work better when the tube is fastened down with clay or some other non-toxic adhesive.
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Yestordsd287

Re: Odontomachus Outworld

Post: # 20869Post Yestordsd287
Tue May 09, 2017 6:36 pm

Martialis wrote:
Tue May 09, 2017 3:58 pm
That will work. She may appreciate a small amount of substrate. What I've noticed with this kind of setup is that they work better when the tube is fastened down with clay or some other non-toxic adhesive.
Ok so i first fasten the tube to the outworld and then add some soil around the test tube. Just for curiosity things like Play Doh work? But what if the cotton starts to mold?

Yestordsd287

Re: Odontomachus Outworld

Post: # 20933Post Yestordsd287
Wed May 10, 2017 1:49 pm

so this is what i have as of right now as an outworld.
Image
it has almost 1 cm of dirt and do i just pu the test tube in there?
also she had some eggs that i dont see but saw her lay so what will happe, will she keep them in the test tube or will she take them and make a soil nest?

ANTphibian

Re: Odontomachus Outworld

Post: # 20938Post ANTphibian
Wed May 10, 2017 2:42 pm

Yestordsd287 wrote:
Wed May 10, 2017 1:49 pm
so this is what i have as of right now as an outworld.
Image
it has almost 1 cm of dirt and do i just pu the test tube in there?
also she had some eggs that i dont see but saw her lay so what will happe, will she keep them in the test tube or will she take them and make a soil nest?
I wouldn't do that if I were you. They will nest in it and you will barely be able to see them.
What I would do (and have done) is fill it up to where you want the ground level to be with grout, then sprinkle sand over it completely. This would make it look and feel natural for the ants. Also, I'd add a separate nest for when the colony grows.

Yestordsd287

Re: Odontomachus Outworld

Post: # 20939Post Yestordsd287
Wed May 10, 2017 2:54 pm

ANTphibian wrote:
Wed May 10, 2017 2:42 pm
Yestordsd287 wrote:
Wed May 10, 2017 1:49 pm
so this is what i have as of right now as an outworld.
Image
it has almost 1 cm of dirt and do i just pu the test tube in there?
also she had some eggs that i dont see but saw her lay so what will happe, will she keep them in the test tube or will she take them and make a soil nest?
I wouldn't do that if I were you. They will nest in it and you will barely be able to see them.
What I would do (and have done) is fill it up to where you want the ground level to be with grout, then sprinkle sand over it completely. This would make it look and feel natural for the ants. Also, I'd add a separate nest for when the colony grows.
theres only one problem because i have no sand nor grout... can you tell me where i can find them like at a home depo, etc?

Yestordsd287

Re: Odontomachus Outworld

Post: # 20941Post Yestordsd287
Wed May 10, 2017 3:26 pm

would it be better to have the outworld empty or add some dirt and all that

Martialis
Posts: 1576
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2016 5:30 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: Odontomachus Outworld

Post: # 20943Post Martialis
Wed May 10, 2017 3:39 pm

She wont nest in a centimeter of dirt, especially if it's dry. This is fine.
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Yestordsd287

Re: Odontomachus Outworld

Post: # 20945Post Yestordsd287
Wed May 10, 2017 3:50 pm

Martialis wrote:
Wed May 10, 2017 3:39 pm
She wont nest in a centimeter of dirt, especially if it's dry. This is fine.
ok so if there is that few levels of dirt then she wont house in it? i measured the deepest part and it didnt reach the 1 cm mark. also i added some pebles and dry roots to make it more natural. so its ok if there is less than 1 cm of dirt?

Martialis
Posts: 1576
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2016 5:30 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: Odontomachus Outworld

Post: # 20952Post Martialis
Wed May 10, 2017 4:07 pm

Yup! Sounds great! :)
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