蚂蚁：利润丰厚的宠物行业在全球飞速发展

蚂蚁是一种常见的家庭公害，但在宠物贸易中却利润惊人。保罗·海尔斯 (Paul Hailes) 在堪培拉的家中收获并饲养牛蚁、黑蚁和糖蚁，并出口到世界各地。最受欢迎的宠物蚂蚁是牛蚁王，由于其强大的刺痛，每只可以卖到 250 美元。它们的受欢迎归功于蚂蚁农场的教育价值，让爱好者和学校能够观察蚁群的生长和发展。海尔斯先生持有野生动物采集和出口许可证，确保负责任的采集和繁殖实践。尽管存在被叮咬的潜在风险，海尔斯先生仍然对蚂蚁充满热情，认识到它们迷人的生命周期以及它们为全世界蚂蚁爱好者带来的乐趣。

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

蚂蚁创业的暴利世界：卖蚂蚁如何成为全球现象

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.

在堪培拉繁华的郊区一栋不起眼的房子里，坐落着一家蓬勃发展的企业，吸引了全球的爱好者、收藏家和教育工作者。保罗·海尔斯 (Paul Hailes) 是一位经验丰富的蚂蚁爱好者，他的生意十分兴隆，主要针对利润丰厚的宠物市场，采集、收集和饲养各种蚂蚁。

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.

曾经被认为只是令人讨厌的蚂蚁，如今已成为备受追捧的宠物，其价格令外行人大吃一惊。公牛蚁后因其巨大的体型和强大的螫刺而备受推崇，每只售价高达 250 美元。即使是较小的黑色人行道蚁后和糖蚁后也不容小觑，起价为 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.

据海尔斯介绍，他的蚂蚁收藏迎合了不同的客户群，包括业余爱好者、私人收藏家，令人惊讶的是，还有学校。受观察蚁群错综复杂的教育价值的启发，教育工作者正在投资建设现代化的互动蚂蚁农场，为学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."

“这就像把你带到地下，”海尔斯兴奋地说。 “你可以见证整个蚁群的发育、生长、繁殖，并派出新的蚁后进行繁殖。这是一个令人着迷的生命周期，浓缩了大自然的奇迹。”

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.

海尔斯对蚂蚁的热情源于他的童年，他花了无数个小时挖掘父亲的后院，小心翼翼地将蚂蚁重新放入罐子里。这种年轻的魅力已经发展成为一项蓬勃发展的业务，业务遍及全球并创造了可观的收入。

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.

为了确保蚁群的可持续性和道德待遇，海尔斯遵守严格的规定，持有野生动物采集许可证和野生动物出口许可证。这授权他从首都领地政府批准的指定区域收集蚁后。此外，他还开展一项经过批准的圈养繁殖计划，仔细配对雄性和雌性以建立新的群体。

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.

在海尔斯的家中，蚂蚁无处不在，栖息在一系列定制的农场、巢穴和外卖容器中。高耸的架子上安置着一排又一排的蚁后，每只蚁后都安放在装满水和脱脂棉的试管内。这种精心布置为产卵提供了最佳环境，棉绒充当水层的屏障，确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.

海尔斯每周都会用注射器装满糖水勤奋地喂养每只蜂王，糖水是一种有助于延长蜂王寿命的营养灵丹妙药。一些公牛蚁后在这种培育环境中繁衍生息，体型高达 4 厘米，令人印象深刻。蜂后在圈养环境中茁壮成长的能力证明了海尔斯对蜂后福祉的奉献精神。

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."

一旦蜂王成功在棉绒中产卵，她就可以被出售了。 “我们通常会推迟出售，直到它们证明了它们的繁殖能力，”海尔斯解释道。 “到那时，它们能够繁殖多达 2000 只蚂蚁，每只蚂蚁都是繁荣生态系统的独立成员。”

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.

当一位热心的顾客下订单时，海尔斯会小心翼翼地将蜂后包装在她的试管中，确保在通风良好的邮箱中实现最佳隔热，然后通过快递将其发送出去。他的业务覆盖全球，这体现在这些包裹的目的地多种多样，包括英国、法国、波兰等，邮费往往超过 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."

“蚂蚁并不受到普遍欢迎，”海尔斯承认。 “各个国家的规定各不相同，有些国家要求对所有进入其边境的宠物进行兽医检查。”

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."

接近他最显眼的巢穴时，海尔斯小心翼翼地揭开盖子，露出了一个迷人的预制隧道系统，里面挤满了处于生命周期不同阶段的蚂蚁。 “说话轻声很重要，”他低声说，“因为它们对振动很敏感。”

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.

虽然海尔斯亲手喂养繁殖蜂王，但这些蜂群却获得了更自然的饮食。 “有趣的是，成年蚂蚁不会消耗大量的肉，”海尔斯观察到，同时他引入了一块鸡骨头供成年蚂蚁解剖并运送到它们的巢穴中。

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.

成年蚂蚁主要依赖从策略性地放置在农场表面的城堡喂食器分配的含糖液体。它们倒着喝水，微小的爪子使它们能够轻松地在垂直的墙壁上移动。

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.

为了防止任何大胆的逃跑，海尔斯设计了一个聪明的解决方案。农场的盖子上涂有一种特殊的“ant-i slip”油，形成光滑的表面，阻止它们上升。

"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."

“这个蚁群拥有 1,000 到 1,500 只蚂蚁，数量惊人，”海尔斯估计。 “这个巢穴内的集体毒液可能会导致多达二十个人出现过敏性休克。”

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."

海尔斯笑着接受了蚂蚁叮咬的固有风险是一种职业危害。 “今年我已经被蜇了五次了，”他说，“之后的痒感一直持续不断。”

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."

尽管偶尔会感到不适，海尔斯仍然对他所选择的职业充满热情。 “许多人一想到蚂蚁，尤其是公牛蚁，就会感到恐惧或厌恶，”他评论道。 “但我只能代表我自己——我喜欢他们。”

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.

蚂蚁创业的利润丰厚的世界证明了人类对这些无处不在的生物固有的迷恋。保罗·海尔斯坚定不移的奉献精神和独创性使他成为这个利基行业的领军人物，展示了蚂蚁相关商业尚未开发的潜力。无论您是寻找独特宠物的爱好者、寻找稀有物种的收藏家，还是寻求让学生了解自然奇观的教育家，蓬勃发展的蚂蚁市场都能满足每个人的需求。