Ants as a gift? Why not!

Are ants a good gift idea? December is the month when most of us look for gifts for our loved ones, including the youngest ones. No wonder that during this period, shops are bursting at the seams with colourful toys, games and various electronic accessories. Is a gift that is different from the usual, not only for Christmas but also for many other occasions, a good idea? Today, we will prove that breeding ants at home is the perfect solution if you are looking for something original, educational and intriguing as a gift (for young and old alike!).

Home ant farm – why choose it as a gift?

Giving animals as Christmas or birthday presents is not usually the best idea (unless it is a well-thought-out decision based on an awareness of how to care for a pet). However, with home ant farming, the situation is slightly different. A well-prepared and well-stocked formicarium is very self-sufficient. An ant colony slowly builds its habitat, and its development and daily life are an excellent source of observation of nature – in the comfort of your own home.

In other words: ants are not as demanding as cats or hamsters, which require intensive care that younger children may not be able to handle. Keeping ants at home can be a great way to teach your child responsibility and consistency, without having to devote a lot of time to it or buy expensive toys, food or other accessories and equipment that pets need.

A formicarium with a colony of ants of a selected species is a gift idea not only for children who dream of having their own pet. Ant farming can also be an appropriate gift for adults who, for various reasons, do not want or cannot have a dog, cat, guinea pig or rabbit at home, but want to have a little bit of nature close to them.

Jak wybrać mrówki na prezent?

Buying ants as a gift may seem like a somewhat tricky task. How do you choose the right species?

You will find various species suitable for breeding at home on sale, although some of them will actually be much easier to breed and may therefore be suitable as gifts for children or adults who want to start their adventure with myrmecology from scratch.

Ant species for beginners

As the name suggests, ants for beginners are species that should not be too difficult to care for. They are not demanding insects, and it is easy to take care of their diet and provide safe conditions for the colony to develop. Which species fall into this category?

Ants as a gift, for example for a younger child, would be the species Messor barbarus, or harvester ants. These industrious insects can be found in Europe and Africa, and their colonies are always quite diverse. This species does not require a specialised diet, and it is not always necessary to hibernate the colony. This means that you can enjoy observing the nest all year round.

Another species of ant that is suitable as a gift, partly because it is easy to breed, is Camponotus fedtschenkoi. These ants immediately attract attention. The golden or yellow colouring of the workers makes observing these insects literally colourful!

Among other ant species suitable for beginners, especially those that do not require wintering, we can mention the beautiful Camponotus nicobarensis. Their bodies can also take on less typical yellowish or brownish colours.

Ants as gifts – species for the more discerning

Some species of ants may require more attention from their caretaker. Such insects are also suitable as gifts – however, they are a better choice for slightly older children and adults who appreciate a little more of a challenge.

For those who are fascinated by wildness and larger insects, you can give them a gift of Myrmecia brevinoda ants, a species straight from Australia! These are really large ants that need much more space to live, and one of the most important elements of their diet is protein from feed insects. It is a beautiful species that provides a lot of excitement, for example, by observing its prominent mandibles and sting.

Camponotus CA-02 are ants from North America with a beautiful chestnut-coloured body. They do not require hibernation and, despite their exotic origins from across the ocean, are very easy to breed.

Summary

Are ants suitable as a gift? Of course they are! And not just for Christmas. However, remember that insects are living creatures – make sure that the person you give your home-grown colony to will be able to care for it properly.