A vivid habitat built around controlled colony growth

The 200х200 mm ANTMART Лабиринт Yellow А combines a saturated yellow PETG body with a structured, multi-section nest. The bright base provides clear visual contrast for watching workers, brood, food stores, and everyday movement through the passages. Beyond its appearance, the layout is designed for staged expansion, differentiated moisture zones, and species that need more vertical room inside the chambers.

A moisture gradient rather than one uniform environment

Variant A is a partially gypsum-lined configuration. Selected points contain 6 mm inserts made from high-strength medical-grade G23 gypsum. These inserts create humidified areas while chambers farther from the gypsum can remain comparatively dry. Within the space made available to them, the ants can relocate brood and stores according to the conditions they prefer.

This arrangement is particularly relevant when a colony needs moisture around its brood but also benefits from dry storage areas for seeds. The structural gradient does not remove the need for species-specific care: the keeper must still regulate watering frequency and volume according to the ants’ requirements and the observed condition of the nest.

Five sections for gradual occupation

The nest is divided into 5 autonomous sections with removable partitions. A young colony does not have to receive the entire internal area immediately. The keeper can begin with a limited group of chambers and connect additional sections as the population grows. This reduces excess unused space that a small colony might otherwise turn into refuse or food-storage chambers.

Moisture is supplied through 4 independent humidification chambers. They allow different parts of the nest to be managed separately instead of treating the whole formicarium as a single wet zone. Together, the four humidification points and removable dividers support a measured expansion process matched to the development of the colony.

Vertical clearance for large ants

The living chambers provide 15 mm of height above the gypsum, with a total height of 21 mm in that area. This clearance accommodates substantial queens as well as large workers or soldiers, giving them space to turn and travel without constantly pressing their bodies or antennae against the upper panel.

Species named in connection with the construction include Camponotus japonicus, Myrmicaria brunnea, Camponotus maculatus subnudus, Camponotus nicobarensis, Camponotus pseudoirritans, Camponotus fedtschenkoi, and Messor structor. Before introducing any colony, the keeper should compare both the ants’ physical size and their humidity requirements with the farm’s dimensions and partial-gypsum layout.

PETG body and corrosion-free fasteners

The base is manufactured from PETG. According to the supplied construction details, the material does not absorb odors and does not release styrene. The habitat does not use a foam filler or plywood foundation in contact with the humidified parts of the nest.

Black nylon bolts hold the assembly together. Unlike metal hardware, nylon does not rust in a moist environment, so the joints do not become a source of metallic corrosion products. The dark fasteners also create a deliberate technical contrast against the yellow body.

A tall arena with a reinforced top

The arena is 80 mm high and fitted with a double acrylic lid. The two-layer arrangement helps the cover retain its shape when exposed to humidity. Mechanical sliding locks secure the assembly and reduce the chance of gaps caused by movement or deformation of the top panel.

The protective system still requires routine inspection. The keeper should check the locks, acrylic alignment, and contact surfaces whenever the arena is serviced. If the chosen species requires a separate escape-prevention coating, the double lid does not replace that additional measure.

Construction at a glance

• overall format: 200х200 mm;
• yellow PETG base;
• Variant A with partial G23 gypsum inserts;
• gypsum thickness: 6 mm;
• 5 autonomous nest sections;
• removable partitions for staged expansion;
• 4 independent humidification chambers;
• chamber height above gypsum: 15 mm;
• total height in the gypsum area: 21 mm;
• arena height: 80 mm;
• double acrylic lid;
• mechanical sliding locks and black nylon bolts.

Questions about the layout

What is the practical purpose of Variant A?
The G23 gypsum creates humidified points while other chambers can stay drier. This gives the colony several conditions within the opened part of the nest and supports the separation of brood areas from dry stores.

Why open the sections gradually?
A small family can manage a compact nesting area more effectively than a large volume of empty chambers. As its numbers increase, a partition can be removed to connect the next section.

Why use nylon rather than metal bolts?
Nylon does not undergo metallic corrosion in a humid environment. The fasteners can therefore remain near the hydration system without developing rust.

What does the double acrylic lid contribute?
Two acrylic layers reinforce the upper perimeter of the arena and help resist warping. The mechanical locks hold the lid in position, although correct alignment and closure should still be checked during regular maintenance.