Oh AC Family, you guys have helped me immensely. Thank you!!! Super helpful again! Love you and thank you. This vivarium build will be for us! Ant love forever! 💯❤️🐜 #RoadTo5M
Soo my opinion is, don't add any apex predators, and instead release the tree frog and skink, and get the team of small predators that can live together. I say maybe get a jumping spider, some frogs, and a little spider that just stays in its web all day but not a huge spider like a tarantula. And 1 more animal I would probably recommend is an animal that probably goes for baby creatures instead of adults. Just so whenever it's breeding season, the entire enclosure won't be filled up with baby herbivores, as that can be a problem as to a huge plant decrease, and the predators not being able to hunt them all. But this is just my opinion, and you can add much more predators, it was just my opinion.
I would love seeing multiple smaller predators instead of a large apex predator! A large biodiversity is important for a healthy ecosystem, and having just one big one that basically eats everything would probably be less effective and wouldn't be as exciting as multiple, especially when you can have multiple small predators without as big as an impact as two apexes.
This what I was thinking too. For a proper ecosystem this scale definitely smaller groups that work together. Maybe it had larger one like size or an entire side out building (not room on wall) but from end to end of one side house MAYBE that could give space for larger apex predator But with the ants etc I agree with smaller predator group. Maybe those geckos that breed without males could work too idk. I can't wait see clean up.creq cause I love pill bugs (rollie-pollies)
11:06 I love how skinks walk as if they're missing frames of animation, or made of stop-motion. So small, but can move faster than our eyes can fully capture. So cute 🥰
22:56 OMG! I got fooled by the frog!! 😂😂 I thought the left part was the frog...until the "log" on the right jumped away! He is, truly, the Master of Mossy Bark 🤣👍
27:35 A Tokay Gecko or a Chameleon? Just come down to Florida! We have them EVERYWHERE as an invasive species! Help Florida's native lizards and remove some of the PetSmart rejects! 😅
I'm also in favor of just going through reputable breeder and going more smaller predators for this project. Big apex predator reduces the diversity in the enclosure and deserves it's own showcase.
Would he not be providing a better living for the reptiles? He's taking them from the wild so now they don't worry about the apex ......now that being said something like meroders or fire ants might get out of control but he said those are nonos for this project so a hord of ants should not be a issue?
@@adamdesantis2015 this would be debatable. some reptiles don't do well going from the wild to captivity due to stress of constant presences of humans & limited space. it's a good risk they they stop eating because of a constant fear or even hurt themself trying to escape the enclosure. there also a risk of some major health issues or diseases being brought the set up that would cause more issues for other reptiles if he get them from separate locations. there are some that do great in captivity as well but is a lot of work that not even pay off or possibly kill many trying to find some to thrive.
I like the idea of several smaller predators rather than one large one. I also support finding a reputable breeder rather than catching a wild creature from outside.
One crazy thought that could be amazing: In the previous video you said that you couldn´t add a large & complex water feature, for the threat of ants or other creatures drowning, and tha tyou would probably add a smaller pond instead. Well, why don't you create the larger water feature in a smaller annexed vivarum, home to a good number of frogs, that would be separate from the main ecosystem by a glass wall, except for an underwater tunnel that leads to a small pond in the main ecosystem that is shallow in about 50-75% of its surface except where it connects to the tunnel, for the frogs to be able to get there?? There could even be 2 or 3 smaller ponds on opposite corners, so that the different ant colonies or animals that may establish territories all have access to water within their area, without needing to trespass into a rival's territory
@@shaunreid6851 Would they? They'd likely see the deeper waters of the separated area to be safer, likely leaving to hunt, but returning in the face of danger
I like the multiple smaller predators because especially in your tropical area the fast lizards and bouncy frogs are like dancing colors in the leaves great video
I support your idea of returning the two wild-caught to the wild, and getting captive-bred small predators. Taking any vertebrate from the wild is a bad idea, due to parasites and wild diseases. Using captive-bred is safer for both you and the rest of your collection.
I agree, but at the same time, he mentioned adding parasites into the ecosystem in the beginning of the video. Adding a wild skink which may already have parasites would complete this idea. I'm on the fence for this one.
People like to pass off frogs but they are my favorite animal to watch. There’s something about them that fascinates me they are just funky little fellows
I think if you start stocking the tank from smallest inhabitants upward gradually documenting the development, you can get a better idea/scope of population control for each tier prey/predator which would allow you to better understand how far up the chain you can go with stocking it to where each tier can have enough population density to sustain itself. What a great episode! Definitely tees up to a possible future episode of research/consultation/brainstorming with some other similar RU-vid channels like “serpadesign” and “Nordic ants” or even “life in jars”. They may not be familiar with your particular geographical environment but would have loads of experience and info in vivarium building, co habitation, methods of building and maintaining etc.
I agree, one Alpa predator may be nice to look at but we are looking for a more natural life cube and a single ruler takes away from the diversity concept intended.
This was what i was thinking, only difference is i would add that i think a cool centerpiece predator would be cool just something with a fun color to draw the eye of "passers by"(i realize there wont be any)
I love that we're always invited into the moral and ethical dilemmas you deal with. You always approach the situation in a very rational but sensitive way and I think that's such an important attitude to model when it comes to caring for living creatures.
I think multiple smaller predators are a better option than a big apex predator. I think releasing the frog and skink is the most ethical option, however I think the skink would be a great addition to the tank because of it's great personlaity. Maybe you can buy a captive bread sun skink?
This is what I think that little fella was curious to the point I was like oh no. I'd be too worried about him in a tank with any predator that could hurt him.
Just started my second rewatch, and Im now realizing you have gained just about 1 million subs since the start of this project. Absolutely deserving of such growth, bringing all of us into this world of science and nature.
@AntsCanada I think a chameleon wouldn't be good for the vavarium. There just to big. I love chameleons but I would rather see a skink and a frog than 1 chameleon. I think multiple small predator are cooler than one big one. But if you edit one than I think the lizard is better. Also I think that the lizard and the frig would probably have a better live with you than in the wild. But if you don't feel good with that you should absolutely just reales them and buy new ones👍
Plus viewer interaction, comments are the biggest portion of the "algorithm". The "algorithm" controls how often RU-vid recommends a video to non-subscribers, which increases the chances for new subscribers. The algorithm uses comments, likes, number of subscribers, how long viewers watch the video, how many shares, and more to determine how often the video is recommended and how high on the recommended list the video is put. This means that asking his audience to comment on say a name and having viewers vote not only helps him give a way to give his audience what they want while also building viewer excitement and of course ranking up his algorithm. His skill in his hobbies: the ants (and other animals), building animal habitats, and video production are the base of his success (we love what he does). His knowledge of how the algorithm is what puts his channel at the top of RU-vid universe; which pays him enough to afford to live and expand. Trust me 5 million subscribers is a huge success that I'm sure he is deservedly excited about!
I prefer small, plentiful predators rather than a single apex one. I have a small "ecosystem vivarium" with invertebrate detritivores, prey, and predators. It's exciting to see all of the predators together in a single ecosystem. As for releasing the frog and skink, I'm unsure. The frog is clearly scared of you, so I would likely release them. However, the skink seems to really enjoy you being around, just like a domestic lizard would. You also mentioned at the beginning of the video that you planned to add parasites. If the skink already has some, it would complete your idea. If I were you, I'd release the frog, keep the skink, and purchase many captive-bred, small predators for your vivarium. How rewarding and exciting would it be!
i watched this channel probably a decade ago. now im back and youre building a whole vivarium?? thats so cool. thanks for being my entertainment of science during childhood, and still one when im older.
House geckos or mourning geckos would be an interesting idea! Plus mourning geckos are known to be communal. They also predate upon themselves so the weak will be rooted out. Smaller predators are more interesting.
You can tell the skink is still very much acclimated to the wild. He was incredibly curious of you and the camera, along with his enclosure. The frog seems awkward. Perhaps releasing them out into the wild is a better option even if they'd be safer in the terrarium, or maybe they could live a better life in the terrarium and that's a better option. As long as the days in captivity won't lead to confusion and such when released. I do love the idea of a skink or skink-liked species and such tho, their curiosity would be wonderous to see as they explore a terrarium. I don't like the idea of a massive chameleon taking out skinks, geckos, spiders, plants, and more. Too much risk imo. Gecko's seem like a good idea, but I'd rather just stick with a lot of biodiversity of small/medium predators rather than 1 large apex predators and 1-2 medium predators. Predator biodioversity and such would mimic an ecosystem much better and more fun/interesting to study and look at in the terrarium.
I love how no matter how many subscribers you have, you still take what we all say into account. It's awesome and quite rare. I've been following this channel for years and you have no changed one bit. It's quite refreshing to see. I don't have any ideas form you haha just wanted to say that.
This isn't true however. I have watched this channel for a very long. In the beginning it was us the peasants that were allowed to make decisions. But now everything is sent to the AC senate to vote on our votes. The Senate makes the final decision. Not us.
Please keep the skink, it seems curious and also comfortable in the enclosure. Also it looks as if, in the wild, it has lost part of its tail and obviously that's just life but overall I think the skink could be happy and really live long and prosper in an enclosure watched over by you. The tree frog on the other hand looks extremely uncomfortable and I definitely think it should be released back into the wild, especially considering frogs in general are known to be very communal creatures.
I would pick the gecko over the chameleon. But I think a more diverse selection of smaller predators would be cooler. Dart frogs and red eye tree frogs would be gorgeous. And a small little snake would be so fun! Community of predators all the way
@@josephmoya5098 that’s assuming the ants themselves are poisonous. I don’t know if any of the ant species he has have the kind of toxins necessary for that, but yes it’s something to keep in mind.
@@josephmoya5098 no, as long as the ants they are ingesting arent poisonous the frogs would be fine. i house dart frogs and feed them a variety of small invertebrets. Rover ants are what youre thinking of and contain pumiliotoxins that inturn the frogs would also have from digesting, yet theyre unaffected by it; it could be very dangerous ot humans.
Personally, i feel if you create a good enough vivarium, that simulates a large area, the skink and frogs would be completely content with their enclosure as long as you add their comfort material and requirements
i love how you talk to us about the morals of pet keeping and animals as a food source, it's an important thing to make a public discussion. i think the skink and frog should be released. having smaller, captive born predators that can team together is the best way to go.
I've got 15 aquariums all with good ecosystems, branching into a few terrariums now as well. Have to say though, this is the coolest project I've seen in a long time! Really inspiring and has me on the edge of my seat waiting for more!
Hey, Junior Herpetologist here. Between the chameleon and the tokay gecko, your best bet is the chameleon. Tokay geckos are very intolerant and if you had one in the community tank it would potentially attack (and most certainly scream at) any animal, prey or predator, that came too close to it. I don’t believe that the Tokay would *eat* the other predators per say, but it would definitely bark and chase them away from it Edit: they also may not go for ants due to how small the ants are. Tokays will definitely thrive better off crickets, roaches, etc.
Do you know how big Tokay Gecko's grow? They eat mice, hatchling and adult small to medium sized birds, snakes, and small to medium sized lizards in the wild. They are a true predator that will eat anything they can catch and can swallow. I've seen Tokay's in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, where my wife and InLaws live, and feral cats and feral small dogs there, (Aspen), are quite nervous around Tokay's. I was able to get close to one and stretch my arm out length wise next to it before it turned and tried to bite my arm. It was over 3 feet long and its body as thick as my forarm (a bit over 11inches). And they hurt when they bite. I know because I had one that was nearing 1 1/2 feet, and it was close to 3 years old then. Mean lizards. NOT A GOOD CHOICE FOR A CO HABITATING ENCLOSURE AT ALL.
@comedianmattrossey they don't get to 3 feet long... Tokay Geckos are around a foot long, but they are nasty biters and they do scream out. I'm not saying you're wrong about the attitudes, but no gecko reaches 3 feet anywhere in the world.
@@badcheetahgaming3258 Well, 1st, you are saying I'm wrong. and 2nd, I've had Tokay Gecko's and know what they are. And the one I saw in the Philippines that I was talking about was that long, and I know there very distinct bark, which is how I first knew it was a Tokay. I had 2 Tokays of my own, one was a little over a foot, the other was near 16 inches. So, think and say what you want, but my own experience tells me otherwise.
@@comedianmattrosseyyour clearly don’t know how to measure properly then. Tokay Geckos literally cannot grow to 3ft long lmao, so in short, yes you are wrong
@@McNugget555 I've been able to measure since I was 4 or 5. There's nothing wrong with my abilities, experience, or knowledge. The problem is that you think you know everything and are more looking to try to put others down than to accept the fact that maybe you don't know everything. Whatever. Have a decent life
I agree with the assessment that a Tokay gecko would be like a T-Rex in the vivarium💀. I think a team of smaller predators would be a better move as they could actually live there lives without 1 animal having such a massive impact on the ecosystem. That being said, I think a small skink is a really good idea!
I know it’s a bot comment, but let’s just appreciate what this man is doing Planning, spending, and working all for the completed project for us It’s actually crazy
@@AylaGarton he alredy realesed the lizerd and the frog back into the wild because he felt it was wrong but all the other animals he is going to get he will feel like it is wrong so he will cancle it
Soo my opinion is, don't add any apex predators, and instead release the tree frog and skink, and get the team of small predators that can live together. I say maybe get a jumping spider, some frogs, and a little spider that just stays in its web all day but not a huge spider like a tarantula. And 1 more animal I would probably recommend is an animal that probably goes for baby creatures instead of adults. Just so whenever it's breeding season, the entire enclosure won't be filled up with baby herbivores, as that can be a problem as to a huge plant decrease, and the predators not being able to hunt them all. But this is just my opinion, and you can add much more predators, it was just my opinion.
@@danilooliveira6580 yeah, I'm not rlly an expert. So I wasn't sure Abt the tarantulas due to their size, and the fact that they eat anything that comes near them. But thx for that
Great video as always my brother! I like the idea of lots of smaller preditors, im excited to see what you do for the clean up crew, plants and the waterfall pond. I would love to see a full underwater ecosystem with plants, shrimp, crab and fish. A pair of Blue Ram Cichlid are beautiful . You could even could have Salamaders.
I definitely think you should get captive-bred predators and release the skink and frog. However, I do love the idea of having a few smaller predators (I loved the Skink's personality!). I just believe it's always better to go captive bred. If you do decide to get an apex predator, I personally think the gecko is a better idea, but as long as you only add one, I think either one would work. I think I'd only want to see an apex predator if you get a breeding pair for the smaller predators.
I lost your channel. Really thought I was subscribed so either I am mistaken or it was a UTube glitch. I would never do what you’re doing but I really enjoy watching you micro eco systems. My hats off to ya!
I think you should release the skink and the frog... And rather than an apex predator get a group of predators... I feel that it'd be more ecologically sound. Awesome video as always... 😊
I like the idea of multiple smaller predators instead of an apex. It'll make the vivarium more visually interesting. Also if you're that torn over the frog and lizard, let them free and get captive bred ones. 😊
I wonder if a Sun Skink raised in captivity, without fear of a large predator, would have lived in the man-made cave as opposed to the wild Sun Skink that would hide in the tightest space it could find.
Hands down, this is some of the best content on youtube. The only thing that upsets me is that I'm late to the show. Keep up the excellent work. Subscribed!
I think multiple smaller predators would be a lot better for the ecosystem of the vivarium, and I think you should release the skink and frog and get other predators.
Hello Mikey! I believe your frog is a Four-lined Tree Frog (Polypedates leucomystax), which is a common tree frog here in the Philippines, and other countries in Asia.
For collecting reptiles in the wild. I wouldnt recommend it and agree on releasing those 2. It would be better if they were babies that were collected rather than breeder sized adults. Some herps have a hard time adjusting to captivity, which the frog probably would. The skink might be fine, but finding a younger one would be better.
Definitely including a breeding pair of jumping spiders would be cool too! Spiders definitely have to have some representation in the tank at least i feel
Just discovered your channel and I have to say your video content and production quality is some of the very best on RU-vid. It's no wonder that you have amassed over 5million subs! Keep up the great work! :)
At the time I am watching this, it’s 4.99m subs. It’s so close man, and I’m sure by the next video you will have surpassed it, so early but assured congrats!
This is interesting! I've been keeping my own unintentional vivarium. It was originally only supposed to be a native terrarium made from a 10 gallon aquarium tank, but ended up with some hitchhikers in the way of very small centipedes, predatory mites, and spiders. They're all still alive after 7 months though, and I even managed to catch one killing a mite a few days ago. 🙂
More smaller predators I think. The amount of food an apex lizard needs would be very hard to supply as part of a self sustaining ecosystem without them exhausting it. Arachnids/ inverts would be amazing!
Your videos are such a treat to watch-- something about the way you edit and narrate them, I think. As someone who struggles with a fear of bugs, I have come to appreciate the wonders of watching a colony of ants just thru these videos.
If you are doing carnivorous plants just wanna let you know that soil type matters a lot as they reject a lot of root nutrients. Idk if you already know. Looking forward to seeing this project!
Im watching this on repeat thats how fun it is for me His voice is so calming and his chanel is so interesting. I love learning from him and u have enspired me to discover more about wild life and i have y own exhabit Love ur vid from Botswna🇧🇼
Watching you create the world's has always been my favorite thing on the channel, PLEASE don't skip over it like you did for the last world you built. I want to see the full detailed process!
i LOVE being part of the AC family, how i found this channel was i was scrolling video after video and a video of this and personally i love bugs ants and all sorts of funky animals so i knew that this was perfect for me.
00:07 Choosing the right predators for the ultimate ecosystem vivarium 03:30 Adding apex predators to the vivarium and ensuring ecological balance. 06:35 The tree frog in the ecosystem vivarium relies on live moving prey for feeding. 09:29 Introducing the sun skink, a fast and agile lizard predator. 12:13 Creating luxury suites for our new predators in the Ant Room. 15:21 Creating the perfect habitats for a tree frog and a sun skink in the ultimate ecosystem vivarium. 17:55 Introducing and observing the tree frog and sun skink in their new naturalistic habitats. 20:30 The predators in the ecosystem vivarium are active and thriving. 23:19 Consider releasing the frog and lizard back into the wild due to ethical concerns and keep an apex predator as a pet. 25:55 Consider adding a chameleon or tokay gecko to the vivarium. 28:27 An apex predator cannot coexist with smaller predators in the vivarium. 30:52 The vivarium project aims to create a biological marvel for observing.
I love this new project. Since I have a pied veiled chameleon, my vote is for a chameleon. I've had my Jack Jack for almost 4 yrs, he's always fun to watch especially when he eats with that long sticky tongue. So excited to see this built and adding all the new life to it, your own little world that you created 😊
This content is so amazing and interesting! You latest video was my first which I watched, and it instantly made me a subscriber. This one right here made this my current favorite series :) Can't wait the new one to drop^^
You could have the water feature go below the bottom of the other parts and have it come to a large cave with a land part and a light at the roof so you can have a marshy area that won’t effect other animals that much.
first time back in a while, been a subscriber since 200k++. amazing to see we’re on the cusp of 5M in the AC Fam! super big congratulations it’s so well deserved.
Adding Regular House geckos especially from Ph to the Ultimate Vivarium would be a good suggestion from my perspective. They are very common in the environment and cheap, They can reproduce effectively, They can be both Predator and a Prey to some animals (especially ants or any larger predators), They are underrated.
A Community is the only way for it to be the ultimate ecosystem. Having predators that are around the same size will allow for a lot more cool and interesting interactions. If you are ever able to do a 5k gallon tank I would definitely do an apex predator though! But I would make sure the other predators you use are on the opposite sleep schedule or able to avoid it fairly well. I'm excited to see how you handle feeding them at first because it will be hard to measure how much each species is going to eat before searching for alternate meals. Love The Channel!!!
I personally prefer Tokays to Chameleons. Chameleons are supposed to be hard to care for and I've owned a Tokay and they are pretty easy and captive bred Tokays don't have the same aggression that wild ones are known for.
@@viral4983yea but they are really not that hard to care for! If you nail those things they pretty much take care of themselves.. I've kept chameleons for years now and at first I was scared, but it's not rocket science and once you realise that it's fairly easy
Finals are next week for me and I’m mad stressing. These videos have such a chill but deeply passionate vibe that lets me relax. Thanks for sharing this journey with us!
