Black carpenter ant (Camponotus herculeanus)

Short answers

Black carpenter ant: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Nest from 20×15 cm plus a foraging area from 40×25 cm.

Black carpenter ant: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–24 °C, at night room temperature is enough.

Black carpenter ant: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Black carpenter ant: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: queen 20–25 years.

Black carpenter ant: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–24 °C

Night temperature

room temperature is enough

Humidity

nest 50–70 %, foraging area 30–50 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

nest from 20×15 cm plus a foraging area from 40×25 cm

Substrate

A wooden nest with a humidity gradient

Feeding

Food

Sugar water plus insects

Feeding interval

sugar always available, insects 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

worker 6–14 mm, queen 16–18 mm

Life expectancy

queen 20–25 years

Origin

Europe (cooler areas)

Protection status

—

Brumation

Essential: 5–6 months — they keep to it even in the warmth (an internal clock)

Cohabitation

Keep as a colony, not a single animal, usually monogynous — these ants naturally live in groups. Two colonies are never merged; foreign animals are not readily accepted.

Notes

To be kept a little cooler than the black carpenter ant. It keeps its winter rest regardless of room temperature — you cannot "persuade" it to keep going.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Black carpenter ant (Camponotus herculeanus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Asian carpenter ant (Camponotus nicobarensis) – Beginner
• Brown-black carpenter ant (Camponotus ligniperda) – Intermediate
• Mediterranean carpenter ant (Camponotus barbaricus) – Intermediate
• Leafcutter ant (Acromyrmex octospinosus) – Experts
• Nylander's acorn ant (Temnothorax nylanderi) – Beginner
• European fire ant (Manica rubida) – Intermediate
• Harvester ant (Messor barbarus) – Beginner
• Yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Black carpenter ant (Camponotus herculeanus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (nest from 20×15 cm plus a foraging area from 40×25 cm), substrate (A wooden nest with a humidity gradient), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.