Tapinoma Sessile Journal (First try at ant keeping)

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AntsNW
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:50 pm
Location: Washington

Tapinoma Sessile Journal (First try at ant keeping)

Post: # 73071Post AntsNW
Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:25 am

Hi!
This journal will follow my Tapinoma Sessile colony.
First, some background:
I am new to ants, and AntsCanada forums. I discovered ant keeping while researching on youtube-- I stumbled upon an AntsCanada video. After several failed attempts at catching/keeping ants, I ordered an ant online-- A Camponotus Vicinus. (I still have that ant, but it will be in a different journal.)
I found my Tapinoma Sessile while flipping over rocks, searching for springtails. Under one, there was a raging colony of them. I scrambled for my container and managed to catch 2 queens plus 1 worker.


Yesterday:
I removed the cotton soaked in honey/water and checked on them. They were in the middle of the tube huddling over what seemed like a large scattering of eggs. (I’ll upload pictures as soon as I know how to. Any other ways besides using PhotoBucket?)
Because I’m not allowed ants on the property, I keep them in the woods. Yesterday was kinda cold, and today is a little bit colder (50f-75f -- Vancouver area) so I was worried about them, but when I checked they seemed fine. I will upload this journal for today at around 1:30!
Thank you!
AntsNW
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pennsylvanicus-- 1 queen, 8 workers
Lasius Niger queen

AntsNW
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:50 pm
Location: Washington

Re: Tapinoma Sessile Journal (First try at ant keeping)

Post: # 73097Post AntsNW
Thu Aug 13, 2020 7:26 pm

Sorry! lost track of time!
the ants seem well, BUT my camera is like poop. I will try again later with my older sister's phone.
while I was watching them it seemed as though the queens just sat motionless, while the worker licked the eggs. is this normal?
I would love some tips and advice!
thanks.
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pennsylvanicus-- 1 queen, 8 workers
Lasius Niger queen

AntsNW
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:50 pm
Location: Washington

Re: Tapinoma Sessile Journal (First try at ant keeping)

Post: # 73098Post AntsNW
Thu Aug 13, 2020 7:31 pm

One last thought: (if anyone is here) what should I name them?
I would love suggestions!
I'll try to figure out how to put up a poll. :D
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pennsylvanicus-- 1 queen, 8 workers
Lasius Niger queen

ArizonanAnts
Posts: 309
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 8:16 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: Tapinoma Sessile Journal (First try at ant keeping)

Post: # 73100Post ArizonanAnts
Thu Aug 13, 2020 7:37 pm

Hi and welcome to ACAF. Im glad new keepers are making journals. I would love to follow this topic. Keep us updated!!

-ArizonanAnts
Keeper of

Nothing right now :cry:

AntsNW
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:50 pm
Location: Washington

Re: Tapinoma Sessile Journal (First try at ant keeping)

Post: # 73103Post AntsNW
Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:13 pm

I found another way to show pictures! YAY! :D :D
https://padlet.com/danasparling/sthlp3gp8vln21rc
Sorry for the quality!
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pennsylvanicus-- 1 queen, 8 workers
Lasius Niger queen

AntsNW
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:50 pm
Location: Washington

Re: Tapinoma Sessile Journal (First try at ant keeping)

Post: # 73126Post AntsNW
Fri Aug 14, 2020 12:45 pm

Today, I will attempt to feed them a small amount of peanut butter as a protein.
how often should I feed them?
I will show pictures later today. :D
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pennsylvanicus-- 1 queen, 8 workers
Lasius Niger queen

AntsNW
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:50 pm
Location: Washington

Re: Tapinoma Sessile Journal (First try at ant keeping)

Post: # 73130Post AntsNW
Fri Aug 14, 2020 5:31 pm

Hi!
I just gave them the smallest blob of peanut butter and checked on them. I placed the peanut butter using a toothpick, and quickly closed the test tube. once the worker realized the cotton had been pulled out, it was already back in place. (not the brightest bulbs... :lol: ) she charged for the peanut butter with her jaws open, as soon as she got close, she fled. Is this normal?
I will include pics as soon as I can. I also noticed that their egg count had increased by almost 30 percent!!! :D
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pennsylvanicus-- 1 queen, 8 workers
Lasius Niger queen

AntsNW
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:50 pm
Location: Washington

Re: Tapinoma Sessile Journal (First try at ant keeping)

Post: # 73147Post AntsNW
Sat Aug 15, 2020 10:10 pm

Hi!
I decided to leave my Tapinoma Sessile alone for a day today, as we were going to the beach!
there, I found 6 queen black garden ants!!! :o :D :D
I set them up in test tubes+containers because I didn't have enough tubes.
for the same reason, I had to combine two queens mostly separated by cotton, but regrettably, they could still reach each other. I plan to fix this as soon as I get my supplies-- tomorrow.
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pennsylvanicus-- 1 queen, 8 workers
Lasius Niger queen

AntsNW
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 10:50 pm
Location: Washington

Re: Tapinoma Sessile Journal (First try at ant keeping)

Post: # 74148Post AntsNW
Wed Oct 07, 2020 10:06 pm

Hi!
Sorry, I kind of gave up on this Topic!
Now, a LOT has happened!
First of all, the worker ant has died, and only the 2 queens remain :(
I gave them a small folded up piece of tinfoil with some honey, and currently they have laid their EGGS directly on the honey! --- Is this bad for them???
Also, on the hibernation front: what temp has been working for other ant-lovers? I haven't been altering anything, and during winter (I can't believe it's that late!) it gets 28-ish degrees at the coldest.-- should I purchase a heat mat for the winter?
Finally, I am very happy with how my other colonies (if I can call them that!) are progressing! :D
Thanks! (and sorry for the late update!)
-AntsNW
Keeper of:
Camponotus Pennsylvanicus-- 1 queen, 8 workers
Lasius Niger queen

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