AntsCanada's ant empires

What it is

AntsCanada is a well-known ant-keeping project with 1.7 million followers on TikTok. The creator keeps ant and termite colonies in large, carefully built enclosures and films their lives up close: how they dig, build, move into new territory and share space with other creatures.

Recent videos include a termite colony finally building a fungus comb, the structure termites use to farm their food; ants that refused to dig until something in their setup changed; a look at balance and overconsumption inside a closed ecosystem; and an update on the "lagoon", a water section of the vivarium with newly added starfish and snails.

Why we picked it

An ant colony on screen turns out to be a gripping series. There are colonies with personalities, conflicts, construction projects and crises. Underneath it is real biology: how a colony is organised, how termites farm fungus, why an ecosystem behind glass can tip out of balance.

A fair warning: the presentation is dramatic at times, with titles like "they refused to dig until I did this", and the project also sells ant-keeping gear. But the insects are always the point, and the footage is very hard to stop watching.

Where to start

• The termite fungus comb video, for the most surprising biology on the account.
• The ants that would not dig, a small lesson in colony behaviour.
• The lagoon updates with starfish and snails.
• Then pick a favourite colony and follow its story.

Who it's for

Anyone fascinated by insects. Kids and parents, since it is a great way into biology. Terrarium and vivarium hobbyists. Anyone curious how a superorganism of thousands of individuals actually works.

Quick answers

Is it a science account? It is an enthusiast's project rather than a lab, but there is a lot of real biology in the videos.

Does it sell anything? The project sells ant-keeping gear, but the videos are about the colonies.

Where else can I find it? The AntsCanada website links to this TikTok, and there is a YouTube channel too.