Golden acrobat ant (Crematogaster scutellaris)

Short answers

Golden acrobat ant: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A wooden nest from 20×15 cm plus a foraging area from 30×20 cm.

Golden acrobat ant: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night room temperature is enough.

Golden acrobat ant: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Golden acrobat ant: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: queen 10–15 years.

Golden acrobat ant: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

room temperature is enough

Humidity

nest 50–70 %, foraging area 40–60 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

a wooden nest from 20×15 cm plus a foraging area from 30×20 cm

Substrate

Rotten wood or a cork nest

Feeding

Food

Sugar water plus insects

Feeding interval

sugar always available, insects 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

worker 3–5 mm, queen 8–10 mm

Life expectancy

queen 10–15 years

Origin

The Mediterranean

Protection status

—

Brumation

Yes, mild: December to February at 12–15 °C

Cohabitation

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

Notes

It gnaws its own nest into rotten wood — a plain aerated-concrete nest does not do it justice. When disturbed it raises its heart-shaped gaster over its back.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Golden acrobat ant (Crematogaster scutellaris) in the marketplace →

Related species

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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Golden acrobat ant (Crematogaster scutellaris) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a wooden nest from 20×15 cm plus a foraging area from 30×20 cm), substrate (Rotten wood or a cork nest), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.