What an odd question, people have had ant colonies in terrariums as pets for decades if not centuries. And yes, you can observe them in terrarium conditions. This particular breed of ant is a little less violent than a lot of the species we're used to.
replyWe are talking about 220$ for a single ant. If you want to keep an ant colony why not just buy one of the cheaper ones instead?
replyThe species described in TFA are very big ants, so they are easy to observe. Moreover, unlike most ants, they eat mostly seeds, so I assume that they are easier to feed in captivity.
replyHowever, the decision to keep any kind of pet, even an ant colony, requires accepting the responsibility for the welfare of the pet for its lifetime.
The problem with animal pets is that too many buy one on impulse and after some time they become bored and they no longer take good care of the pet or they completely abandon it.
I mean, have you met human beings? You might as well complain that someone else's stamp collection isn't a useful pet.
replyIf you have enough imagination, you can "play" with them.
replyProfessional and amateur scientists have made countless behavioral experiments with ants, since the time of Jean-Henri Fabre, in the 19th century, to see how they solve various problems.
What a weird perspective. Why do people collect anything?
reply