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The Antquarium was developed by NASA scientists to allow astronauts to observe wildlife in space, and has been into orbit on the NASA Space Shuttle. The clear Perspex Antquarium contains a unique, non toxic transparent gel with special properties that allowed it to withstand the immense g-forces experienced during shuttle take-off.
The gel also forms an ideal habitat for ants, and provides all the nutrition ants need to survive for their average life expectancy of six months. Once the ants are inside, they burrow their way through the gel to create fascinating and totally unique patterns.
So what do you have to do to create this amazing ant universe? The answer lies with the tiny wooden stick provided. Use the stick to make four channels around 2 – 3cm long in the gel. Then use your multi-function stick to catch your ants (or entice them into another suitable container), insert them into the Antquarium and close the lid. Using your channels as a starting point, the little creepies will begin making their tunnels for your amusement and delight.
Not only is the Antquarium a fascinating spectacle of nature, it's also brilliant if you're too lazy to look after a pet. You never have to feed your ants as the gel does that for you. All you do have to do is open the lid briefly once a month to aerate the gel. Even if some of your ants bite the bullet ahead of schedule, you don't have to try and fish them out – the worker ants will bring the corpses to the surface when cleaning the channels.
The Deluxe edition of the Antquarium includes a magnifying glass to let you examine your insect subject and their gel tunnels in greater detail, plus a specimen tube. It also comes in a sturdy plastic carry case, so you can take your ants on their travels (although probably not into space, unless you're a millionaire.)
The Antquarium is a fantastic conversation piece, and makes an interesting, unusual gift. And when your ant colony members have eventually all gone to the great anthill in the sky, you can use the gel again and again. It's the ultimate in long-lasting, maintenance free pets.
Antquarium Care Advice:
NEVER place your Antquarium in direct sunlight. Do not place insects other than ants in the Antquarium. Around 15 ants is the ideal amount for the Antquarium. If you don't fancy catching your ants yourself, each Antquarium comes with information on how to obtain a free phial of ants.
Features:
Minimal maintenance
Average life span of ants six months
Re-useable gel
We also sell the Antquarium Basic model, see below.
Measures 13.5 x 8.5 x 3.5cm.
