螞蟻：利潤豐厚的寵物產業在全球快速發展

螞蟻是常見的家庭公害，但在寵物貿易中卻利潤驚人。保羅·海爾斯 (Paul Hailes) 在坎培拉的家中收穫並飼養牛蟻、黑蟻和糖蟻，並出口到世界各地。最受歡迎的寵物螞蟻是牛蟻王，由於其強大的刺痛，每隻可以賣到 250 美元。它們的受歡迎歸功於螞蟻農場的教育價值，讓愛好者和學校能夠觀察蟻群的生長和發展。海爾斯先生持有野生動物採集和出口許可證，確保負責任的採集和繁殖實踐。儘管有被叮咬的潛在風險，海爾斯先生仍然對螞蟻充滿熱情，認識到它們迷人的生命週期以及它們為全世界螞蟻愛好者帶來的樂趣。

The Lucrative World of Ant Entrepreneurship: How Selling Ants Became a Global Phenomenon

螞蟻創業的暴利世界：賣螞蟻如何成為全球現象

In the bustling suburb of Canberra, nestled within an unassuming house, lies a thriving enterprise that has captivated hobbyists, collectors, and educators around the globe. Paul Hailes, a seasoned ant enthusiast, has established a thriving business harvesting, collecting, and breeding various ant species, primarily targeting the lucrative pet market.

在坎培拉繁華的郊區一棟不起眼的房子裡，坐落著一家蓬勃發展的企業，吸引了全球的愛好者、收藏家和教育工作者。保羅·海爾斯 (Paul Hailes) 是一位經驗豐富的螞蟻愛好者，他的生意十分興隆，主要針對利潤豐厚的寵物市場，採集、收集和飼養各種螞蟻。

Ants, once considered a mere nuisance, have emerged as highly sought-after pets, commanding prices that would astound the uninitiated. Bull ant queens, prized for their formidable size and potent sting, fetch an astonishing $250 each. Even smaller black pavement and sugar ant queens are not to be underestimated, with prices starting at a respectable $25.

曾經被認為只是令人討厭的螞蟻，如今已成為備受追捧的寵物，其價格令外行人大吃一驚。公牛蟻後因其巨大的體型和強大的蜇刺而備受推崇，每隻售價高達 250 美元。即使是較小的黑色人行道蟻後和糖蟻後也不容小覷，起價為 25 美元。

According to Hailes, his ant collection caters to a diverse clientele, including hobbyists, private collectors, and, surprisingly, schools. Motivated by the educational value of observing the intricacies of ant colonies, educators are investing in modern and interactive ant farms, providing students with a captivating window into the subterranean world.

根據海爾斯介紹，他的螞蟻收藏迎合了不同的客戶群，包括業餘愛好者、私人收藏家，令人驚訝的是，還有學校。受觀察蟻群錯綜複雜的教育價值的啟發，教育工作者正在投資建造現代化的互動螞蟻農場，為學生提供一扇了解地下世界的迷人窗口。

"It's like taking you under the ground," Hailes enthuses. "You get to witness the entire colony develop, grow, repopulate, and send out new queens for breeding. It's a fascinating life cycle that encapsulates the wonders of nature."

「這就像把你帶到地下，」海爾斯興奮地說。 “你可以見證整個蟻群的發育、生長、繁殖，並派出新的蟻後進行繁殖。這是一個令人著迷的生命週期，濃縮了大自然的奇蹟。”

Hailes's passion for ants has its roots in his childhood, where he spent countless hours excavating his father's backyard, meticulously relocating ants into jars. This youthful fascination has blossomed into a thriving business, spanning the globe and generating substantial revenue.

海爾斯對螞蟻的熱情源自於他的童年，他花了無數個小時挖掘父親的後院，小心翼翼地將螞蟻重新放入罐子裡。這種年輕的魅力已經發展成為一項蓬勃發展的業務，業務遍及全球並創造了可觀的收入。

To ensure the sustainability and ethical treatment of his ant colonies, Hailes adheres to strict regulations, holding both a wildlife collection license and a wildlife export license. This authorizes him to collect ant queens from designated areas approved by the ACT government. Additionally, he operates an approved captive breeding program, carefully pairing males and females to establish new colonies.

為了確保蟻群的可持續性和道德待遇，海爾斯遵守嚴格的規定，持有野生動物採集許可證和野生動物出口許可證。這授權他從首都領地政府批准的指定區域收集蟻後。此外，他還開展一項經過批准的圈養繁殖計劃，仔細配對雄性和雌性以建立新的群體。

Within the confines of Hailes's home, ants are omnipresent, inhabiting an array of custom-designed farms, nests, and takeaway containers. Towering shelving units house row upon row of individual queen ants, each ensconced within a test tube filled with water and cotton wool. This meticulous arrangement provides an optimal environment for egg-laying, with the cotton wool acting as a barrier to the water layer, ensuring ample moisture for the queen's survival.

在海爾斯的家中，螞蟻無處不在，棲息在一系列客製化的農場、巢穴和外帶容器中。高聳的架子上安置著一排又一排的蟻後，每隻蟻後都安放在裝滿水和棉花的試管內。這種精心佈置為產卵提供了最佳環境，棉絮充當水層的屏障，確保蜂王生存所需的充足水分。

Hailes diligently feeds each queen weekly using a syringe filled with sugar water, a nutritional elixir that contributes to their longevity. Some bull ant queens have flourished in this nurturing environment, attaining impressive sizes of up to 4 centimeters. The queens' ability to thrive in captivity is a testament to Hailes's dedication to their well-being.

海爾斯每週都會用注射器裝滿糖水勤奮地餵養每隻蜂王，糖水是一種有助於延長蜂王壽命的營養靈丹妙藥。一些公牛蟻後在這種培育環境中繁衍生息，體型高達 4 厘米，令人印象深刻。蜂后在圈養環境中茁壯成長的能力證明了海爾斯對蜂后福祉的奉獻精神。

Once a queen has successfully laid eggs within the cotton wool, she is ready to be sold. "We generally hold off on selling until they've proven their ability to breed," Hailes explains. "By then, they're capable of producing colonies of up to 2,000 ants, each an independent member of a thriving ecosystem."

一旦蜂王成功在棉絨中產卵，她就可以被出售了。 「我們通常會推遲出售，直到它們證明了它們的繁殖能力，」海爾斯解釋道。 「到那時，它們能夠繁殖多達 2000 只螞蟻，每隻螞蟻都是繁榮生態系統的獨立成員。”

When an eager customer places an order, Hailes meticulously packages the queen within her test tube, ensuring optimal insulation in a well-ventilated post-box, and dispatches it via express shipping. The global reach of his business is reflected in the diverse destinations these parcels are bound for, including England, France, Poland, and many others, with postage costs often exceeding $150.

當一位熱心的顧客下訂單時，海爾斯會小心翼翼地將蜂后包裝在她的試管中，確保在通風良好的郵箱中實現最佳隔熱，然後通過快遞將其發送出去。他的業務涵蓋全球，這體現在這些包裹的目的地多種多樣，包括英國、法國、波蘭等，郵資往往超過 150 美元。

"Ants are not universally welcome," Hailes acknowledges. "Regulations vary from country to country, and some require a veterinary examination for all pets entering their borders."

「螞蟻並不受到普遍歡迎，」海爾斯承認。 “各國的規定各不相同，有些國家要求對所有進入其邊境的寵物進行獸醫檢查。”

Approaching his most prominent nest, Hailes carefully removes the cover, revealing a captivating pre-cast tunnel system teeming with ants at various stages of their life cycle. "It's essential to speak softly," he whispers, "as they're sensitive to vibrations."

接近他最顯眼的巢穴時，海爾斯小心翼翼地揭開蓋子，露出了一個迷人的預製隧道系統，裡面擠滿了處於生命週期不同階段的螞蟻。 “說話輕聲很重要，”他低聲說，“因為它們對振動很敏感。”

While Hailes hand-feeds the breeding queens, these colonies are provided with a more naturalistic diet. "Interestingly, adult ants don't consume a significant amount of meat," Hailes observes, as he introduces a chicken bone for the adult ants to dissect and transport to their brood.

雖然海爾斯親手餵養繁殖蜂王，但這些蜂群卻獲得了更自然的飲食。 「有趣的是，成年螞蟻不會消耗大量的肉，」海爾斯觀察到，同時他引入了一塊雞骨頭供成年螞蟻解剖並運送到它們的巢穴中。

The adult ants primarily rely on sugary liquids dispensed from castle feeders strategically placed on the farm's surface. They drink upside down, their tiny claws enabling them to navigate the vertical walls with ease.

成年螞蟻主要依賴從策略性地放置在農場表面的城堡餵食器分配的含糖液體。它們倒著喝水，微小的爪子使它們能夠輕鬆地在垂直的牆壁上移動。

To prevent any daring escapes, Hailes has devised a clever solution. A special 'ant-i slip' oil is applied to the lid of the farm, creating a slippery surface that discourages their ascent.

為了防止任何大膽的逃跑，海爾斯設計了一個聰明的解決方案。農場的蓋子上塗有一種特殊的“ant-i slip”油，形成光滑的表面，阻止它們上升。

"This colony boasts an impressive population of between 1,000 and 1,500 ants," Hailes estimates. "The collective venom within this nest could potentially cause anaphylactic shock in up to twenty individuals."

「這個蟻群擁有 1,000 到 1,500 只螞蟻，數量驚人，」海爾斯估計。 “這個巢穴內的集體毒液可能會導致多達二十個人出現過敏性休克。”

The inherent risk of ant bites is an occupational hazard that Hailes accepts with a chuckle. "I've already been stung five times this year," he says, "and the itch afterward is relentless."

海爾斯笑著接受了螞蟻叮咬的固有風險是一種職業危害。 “今年我已經被蜇了五次了，”他說，“之後的癢感一直持續不斷。”

Despite the occasional discomfort, Hailes remains fiercely passionate about his chosen profession. "Many people recoil in fear or disgust at the thought of ants, particularly bull ants," he remarks. "But I can only speak for myself - I adore them."

儘管偶爾會感到不適，海爾斯仍然對他所選擇的職業充滿熱情。 「許多人一想到螞蟻，尤其是公牛蟻，就會感到恐懼或厭惡，」他評論道。 “但我只能代表我自己——我喜歡他們。”

The lucrative world of ant entrepreneurship is a testament to the inherent fascination humans have with these ubiquitous creatures. Paul Hailes's unwavering dedication and ingenuity have established him as a leading figure in this niche industry, showcasing the untapped potential of ant-related commerce. Whether you're a hobbyist seeking a unique pet, a collector searching for rare species, or an educator seeking to engage students with the wonders of nature, the thriving market for ants offers something for everyone.

螞蟻創業的利潤豐厚的世界證明了人類對這些無所不在的生物固有的迷戀。保羅·海爾斯堅定不移的奉獻精神和獨創性使他成為這個利基行業的領導者，展示了螞蟻相關商業尚未開發的潛力。無論您是尋找獨特寵物的愛好者、尋找稀有物種的收藏家，還是尋求讓學生了解自然奇觀的教育家，蓬勃發展的螞蟻市場都能滿足每個人的需求。