Living With Ants

The Ant Store Photo:
DW.com

Pets are a hobby enjoyed by many people that occasionally turns into a business. Martin Sebesta enjoys ants and has made a business of selling ants from his AntStore in Berlin, Germany. His shop, in business for over a decade, provides terrariums, habitat materials and instructions to the ant enthusiasts. He has a selection of over 300 species of ants, native and exotic. Each ant species has its own characteristics and habitat needs.  The habitats must be managed to keep the ants from escaping and to exclude parasites such as mites and pathogens such as molds that could harm the ants. Mr Sebesta has written a popular guide to keeping ants, Principals of Keeping Ants.

Among the popular species are carpenter ants that are easier to observe because of the larger size.  They will make elaborate tunnels in wood. Leaf cutter ants do well in captivity making elaborate fungus gardens.  Ants exhibit more complex behaviors than most tropical fish.  As they build their nests, the ants offer something new to see every day.