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Termitat

Termitat® // Living Termite Exhibit

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Product Description

The Termitat® is a remarkable desktop habitat that gives you an up-close look at a colony of forest-dwelling Dampwood Termites. This unique exhibit for your home, office, or classroom keeps the termites secure within a museum-quality habitat, resulting in a stunning piece of living art for your home.

Pacific Dampwood Termites are among the largest termites in North America. They thrive in moist, decaying logs on the forest floor in the Pacific Northwest. Often ignored due to their unfortunate misrepresentation as "just a pest,” this complex species is incredibly fascinating to observe. As scientists, architects, and even robotics engineers study these amazing creatures, they are discovering how sophisticated termite adaptations are and the instrumental part these insects play in Earth’s ecology. Termites are the 200 million year old master recyclers of the Earth’s carbon who also share a social behavior system similar to ours. Those are pretty good tricks by any standard.

With this easy to care for habitat, these masters of social organization will give you years of enjoyable learning, wonder, and entertainment. However, these are live animals living in a closed environment and they will need occasional attention as with any other pet.

Upon receiving your Termitat®, check for a healthy and lively colony. Be sure to check the wood disk at least twice a week to observe whether a small area is visibly darker and damper than the surrounding wood, and add just enough spring water or distilled water to keep this small area damp. These termites do best at temperatures that we humans also find comfortable, so a cool, low light spot on a desk or shelf is the perfect place to show off your incredible colony.

Product Details
  • ColorsClear
  • Materials
    Acrylic
  • Measurements
    11"L x 9"W x 4.5"H
  • OriginUs

— Acrylic Desktop Habitat For Live Colony of Pacific Dampwood Termites
— Closed System To Keep Termites Safe Inside
— Contains Enough Wood To Maintain The Colony For 3-5 Years
— Requires Minimal Maintenance (Occasional Watering)
— Set Includes 32 Page Care Instruction Book & Water Syringe

FAQ
How long do they live? Do you need to add more wood at some time?

The colony theoretically could live forever. They will prosper as long as there is a source of wood and they are safe from enemies (mainly ants). The wood in the Termitat will last from 3-5 years depending on its care and the corresponding level of reproduction by the colony. When the majority of the wood is eaten, the Termitat can be returned and a rebuild with new wood can be purchased.

Is there a fertilized queen (for reproduction) or are these just drones?

The male and female "workers" (not a specialized cast) are made up of "nymphs" that go through up to 6 molts. Each time they molt they can become more a specialized body type. (ie: male and female soldiers or supplementary reproductives). You'll get eventual reproduction in the colony and soldiers for their protection.

Does it smell?

Nope! No smell at all.

What type of care do the termites require?

They require just a bit of water once in a while. There is a small tube incorporated into the upper support rod. You get a rubber-tipped syringe to inject water into this at the very top of the grey ring.

Do different temperatures and types of light make a difference?

They are pretty accepting of any light. Just choose a low light area with no direct sun. They also like temperatures that humans like. There are limits to what you can subject them to and for how long, but it's all covered in the directions.

Can they escape?

No, they cannot escape unless you open the case or break the case open which is hard to do. It's made out of 1/4" thick acrylic. The tiny watering hole on top is too small for anything but maybe the minuscule first instars to exit. However, they will never wander away from the colony, they are social/colonial animals.

How strong is the clear casing? Is it strong enough to with stand being knocked over?

Yes! We've dropped them from waist high on the floor and had no real damage. It is made of 1/4" thick acrylic. The ring is injection molded plastic so it is very tough.

As they reproduce won't there be too many for that amount of wood?

They keep their numbers limited after an initial population boomlet.
Since the cellulose diet is low on protein, the termites will consume any that die.

If it is a sealed unit other than the water hole, how do they breathe?

There is enough air leaking in around the edges of the ring for them to do well. They like ~33% CO2 and no air movement. Air movement means a breach and maybe ants coming in.

Where do I get the termites?

The Termitat comes with the termites already installed and busy eating away. They will increase their numbers with good care and also make new soldiers.

What’s the lowest and highest temperatures that they can withstand in a room?

They like temps humans do. They can handle mid 80 degrees for a short
time. The same for the low forties. Avoid direct sun as it causes a
greenhouse effect in the case. Normal house temps do well.

Shipping Information
  • Shipping Availability
    United States (EXCEPT Alaska, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Louisiana, Florida)
  • Shipping Policy
    Standard Ground Shipping
  • Ship In
    2-3 weeks
  • Return Policy
    Final sale, not eligible for return or cancellation

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