Atta - Aquarium setup

[Formica123]

Wow, I've heard of Messor ripping workers apart when they don have enough space - maybe this is the issue??

[Acromyrmexbob]

Wow, I've heard of Messor ripping workers apart when they don have enough space - maybe this is the issue??

Not likely, Richard has provided a second tank for expansion. I think it is likely that this is a normal part of the process. Once an ant stops working because of age it becomes a drain on the colony because it takes in resources and gives out no benefit. No such thing as graceful retirement! So disposing of it makes sense. I'm now looking at my mother and wondering.......

[RichardP]

Wow, I've heard of Messor ripping workers apart when they don have enough space - maybe this is the issue??

Not likely, Richard has provided a second tank for expansion. I think it is likely that this is a normal part of the process. Once an ant stops working because of age it becomes a drain on the colony because it takes in resources and gives out no benefit. No such thing as graceful retirement! So disposing of it makes sense. I'm now looking at my mother and wondering.......

[RichardP]

Haha... success... so the first chamber has been filling up.. so much so that they couldn't fit in any more leaves. This was yesterday evening.



And then this morning I find a bean sized fungus garden in the new chamber. You can just make it out in the picture. It seems that they took a bit of the old fungus rather than starting from scratch. It will be interesting to see how big they build the new fungus from the old before they start adding new substrate to it.

It will also be really interesting to see how quickly this second fungus grows.

[RichardP]

Well, I didn't have to wait long for the answer to my first question. By the time I finished the above post I went back to look and a leaf was lying by the side of the new transplanted fungus..

[Deansie26]

That's great Richard, the second one will grow slot fasterbthan the first as there is lots more ants. Keep us posted.

[Acromyrmexbob]

Richard, seeing that from scratch is a great experience. And you didnt force them on by putting fungus there. You are really in for a treat as they grow this, the speed will be impressive. By the way, now you are in the second fungus owners club, you are treated to some new words that only those deep into Leaf Cutter lore know. Jamie has, I see, started your induction into these new words.

slot fasterbthan

These words should be kept secret, dont say them to anyone who isnt the owner of a second garden.

[RichardP]

Richard, seeing that from scratch is a great experience. And you didnt force them on by putting fungus there. You are really in for a treat as they grow this, the speed will be impressive. By the way, now you are in the second fungus owners club, you are treated to some new words that only those deep into Leaf Cutter lore know. Jamie has, I see, started your induction into these new words.

slot fasterbthan

These words should be kept secret, dont say them to anyone who isnt the owner of a second garden.

ha ha...

[Deansie26]

Ha ha had me in stitches
Keep these code words to yourself Richard, I'll pm you the key to unlock the info

[Shamual]

Hey Richard congratulations on the second garden! Sorry a bit unrelated but are those tanks 10*20 outworld man from antstore?