My Iridomyrmex purpureus (Meat Ants) 10 to over 300 in 4 months

[@brianedwards7142]

I live in South Australia and I recognised the name of local fauna immediately. These ants clear a 1-2 metre area around their nests and spread out small gravel or coarse sand grains bought up from below to create a sort of pavement where hundreds of them congregate. They also clear ant roads about 6cm wide and tens of metres long between nests so I assume one colony inhabits multiple nests. They seem drawn to nesting in footpaths and the numbers and activity always make me feel like Godzilla in downtown Tokyo.

[@antshood3324]

thanks for the info, i’ve heard they line to set up satellite nests and do have big trails. all good info as it’s making me think about their set up in my ant cave

[@thedutchant5395]

That's absolutely a beautiful colony and they are growing quiet so fast!

[@antshood3324]

They are very pretty

[@CamponicoAnts]

Beautifull colony! Would love to get my hands on them some day!

[@antshood3324]

they are. the colours are just something else!

[@IceManDude21]

i love how excited you are for these ants. i did have to laugh that you kept calling them large ants... they're medium here as our Bull Ants are soooo much bigger. Australian Ants are simply amazing.

[@antshood3324]

Yeah you do have some great examples of ants! But I’m the uk these are massive

[@gordonc2792]

Congratulations on your success Some interesting facts for you These Australian ants build huge nests in the wild They create forging paths from the main nests which are clearly visible and kept bare Also they do make satellite nests They do slow growth in winter and if food is scarce Hope this information helps Congratulations again on your success Also great that you have bounced back and enthusiastic about your colonies again Have always found your videos interesting and informative

[@antshood3324]

thanks for the info and the kind comments matey!

[@australianpolyrhachis]

Iridomyrmex purpureus can reach 21,000 in a year if fed very well. Might have to limit them by giving less protein haha.

[@antshood3324]

Well I will see how they get on with my current feeding patterns. But I might just feed them alittle more! 😈

[@australianpolyrhachis]

@@antshood3324 haha! if you make some diy nests and heat them too, you might get even more than 20,000 in one year xD. They also love to make long trails on the ground from 20-50meters, so for sure you can have them travel all around your room in tubing for food.

[@antshood3324]

That could be the plan for the old solenopsis set up with tubing going around my room,

[@pizzy]

Now I want Iridomyrmex purpureus because of this video

[@antshood3324]

lol well i think ants davey has them in stock

[@Antymatters]

Do love your estimates hood, always way below in my opinions, there flourishing though. So much broood

[@antshood3324]

I know I’m rubbish at guessing numbers

[@antshood3324]

What would you guess them at?

[@Antymatters]

@@antshood3324 maybe 500, all guess work but my gut says 500.

[@antshood3324]

probably a good guess! i always underestimate my ants

[@makraaza966]

I really liked the macro from 2:20 to 3:00. Seeing all that brood was amazing 🤩

[@antshood3324]

I know! Did you see all those eggs?!

[@makraaza966]

Ye the colonies going to be massive soon

[@nategroening2925]

Awesome that’s my fav riot ant seize

[@antshood3324]

They are a very good size! Think these will also be a handful, just more manageable than my solenopsis

[@shane7604]

Another update on this ant colony ?

[@antshood3324]

It’s on the cards matey.

[@ElijahsAnts]

They have exploded in population! Dont even know if its a good thing or not?😅 Ive always wanted Iridomyrmex purpureus but the growth rate, size and numbers are a bit off putting, but I still love watching your update videos! Whats worse though? #HoodGetsStung or #HoodGetsBitten?😂😂

[@antshood3324]

me getting stung as that really hurts!

[@antsandpets]

meat ant colonies definitely grow fast lol

[@antyenclosures7578]

really need a keyboard hoover, what should i look for???!!

[@antshood3324]

just one that has a filter on it so ants don’t get sucked into the fan that give the suction. if that makes sense?

[@antyenclosures7578]

@@antshood3324 ah yes, thanks man!

[@nategroening2925]

Your videos are awesome i love meat ants i kee.

[@antshood3324]

Thanks for watching!

[@warsnail5]

Nice video!

[@antshood3324]

Thanks buddy

[@tesseragamer5120]

love the video keep it up

[@antshood3324]

Thanks matey

[@Ninuturu]

also been bitten recently and save to say, I do not like to be bit by them XD hurts as much as a maculatus major power feeding my colony, but I doubt they will outgrow yours anytime soon! Still have them in a Venus + outworld combo over here

[@antshood3324]

Mine have grown super fast and I’m sure yours will over take mine as I’m not over feeding them. Yet.

[@Ninuturu]

@@antshood3324 I am eager to see what your colony will do with a pinky tho! When the time gets there :D

[@antshood3324]

A small pinky they could probably take on. I mean they have enough brood? 🤔

[@Ninuturu]

@@antshood3324 yesssss 😁 do record tho! or timelaps!

[@antshood3324]

i will!

[@PJants]

great video bud

[@antshood3324]

Thanks pj!

[@belogic5347]

Good video!

[@antshood3324]

Thanks matey

[@antsarts]

Super video

[@antshood3324]

thanks matey

[@davidpapp3926]

Hi i thing they have more than 300 workers maybe even 400

[@antshood3324]

Hello matey! Welcome to my channel!

[@lonestarants9407]

You should get atta

[@antshood3324]

as much as i would like too, i don’t have the space

[@lonestarants9407]

@@antshood3324 just buy big tubs and fill the bottom with plaster

[@lonestarants9407]

That’s what I’m planning on doing with my colony

[@antshood3324]

But they grow oh so fast.

[@lonestarants9407]

@@antshood3324 well u should at least do a update on your acros if they are still alive

[@Antramblings]

They look alot more sensible than the fire ants though you are still going to need to learn about ant diets at some point 🤣 I read these can get to 100k but at least you should be able to stop then escaping .

[@antshood3324]

I do want a nice big colony