Re: A question about ants

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Posted by Lester G. Milroy III on June 25, 2002 at 10:04:26:

In Reply to: Re: A question about ants posted by Shane on June 25, 2002 at 09:04:52:

: : : Hello all! My son and I keep quite a number of creatures from millipedes and mantids to frogs and snakes. This weekend we were at a reptile show looking for any new neat insects that might be available. Well, in addition to a beautiful Flower Mantis, we can home with a Horned Lizard. The guy said they were easy to care for so I didn't really hesitate to add this cute little guy to our menagerie. Now, in my defense I generally don't buy anything without first researching the care requirements. I was very dismayed to learn about the strict eating habits of HL's. Which leads me to my question. Can they only be fed harvester ants? Or can other species of ants supply the formic acid needed in their diet? Thanks!

: : : Shane

: : :Hello Shane. There are many ants that are harvester ants. The formic acid issue is something that as long as you feed the HLs ants it is covered. Ants are the main diet. No mealworms. Small crickets as a snack are okay, but ants are necessary. Lester G. Milroy III

: So...any ants will do? Carpenter, Allegheny Mound, Lawn, Larger Yellow? I do have access to these types. That sounds great. Looks like I may soon be adding an Ant colony to the mix. LOL...Thanks!

:Make sure you test each type of ant with a small offering to the HL. Some ants are rejected by the HLs and some ants, outside the range of the HL, may not be suitable and may even contain toxins that the HLs may have no defense. Lester G. Milroy III

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: : : : Hello all! My son and I keep quite a number of creatures from millipedes and mantids to frogs and snakes. This weekend we were at a reptile show looking for any new neat insects that might be available. Well, in addition to a beautiful Flower Mantis, we can home with a Horned Lizard. The guy said they were easy to care for so I didn't really hesitate to add this cute little guy to our menagerie. Now, in my defense I generally don't buy anything without first researching the care requirements. I was very dismayed to learn about the strict eating habits of HL's. Which leads me to my question. Can they only be fed harvester ants? Or can other species of ants supply the formic acid needed in their diet? Thanks! : : : : Shane : : : :Hello Shane. There are many ants that are harvester ants. The formic acid issue is something that as long as you feed the HLs ants it is covered. Ants are the main diet. No mealworms. Small crickets as a snack are okay, but ants are necessary. Lester G. Milroy III : : So...any ants will do? Carpenter, Allegheny Mound, Lawn, Larger Yellow? I do have access to these types. That sounds great. Looks like I may soon be adding an Ant colony to the mix. LOL...Thanks! : :Make sure you test each type of ant with a small offering to the HL. Some ants are rejected by the HLs and some ants, outside the range of the HL, may not be suitable and may even contain toxins that the HLs may have no defense. Lester G. Milroy III

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