Camponotus ocreatus

Species at a glance

• Origin: the arid south-western United States and Mexico
• Colony: a single queen
• Difficulty: intermediate, for keepers with some experience

Care conditions

• Temperature: 24–30 °C with a warm and a cooler zone
• Humidity: 40–60% in the nest, a dry arena
• Food: sugars at all times (diluted honey, sugar syrup, pieces of fruit) and insects 2–3 times a week; water from a test tube or water feeder

Hibernation

Deserts and semi-deserts get cool in winter, so a rest of 2–3 months at 12–15 °C is recommended.

Farm and colony growth

Carpenter ants readily live in cork, wood, gypsum or aerated concrete nests. Workers are good climbers and look for gaps, so use a tight lid and an anti-escape barrier on the arena walls. The queen founds the colony alone and does not eat until the first workers appear; the first workers are small, and majors appear once the colony grows.

Please note

This species is rare in the hobby and there is little verified care data. The conditions are based on the climate of its range and on related species of the genus; check them with the seller and watch how the colony develops.