Nylander's acorn ant (Temnothorax nylanderi)

Short answers

Nylander's acorn ant: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A test tube or small nest plus a foraging area from 15×15 cm.

Nylander's acorn ant: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, at night room temperature is enough.

Nylander's acorn ant: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Nylander's acorn ant: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: queen 5–10 years.

Nylander's acorn ant: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C

Night temperature

room temperature is enough

Humidity

nest 50–70 %, foraging area 40–60 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

a test tube or small nest plus a foraging area from 15×15 cm

Substrate

A nest in an acorn, a branch or a test tube

Feeding

Food

Sugar water plus small insects

Feeding interval

sugar always available, insects 1–2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

worker 2–3 mm, queen 3–4 mm

Life expectancy

queen 5–10 years

Origin

Europe

Protection status

—

Brumation

Essential: October to March at 5–8 °C

Cohabitation

Colony per enclosure. These animals naturally live in groups and fare poorly alone. Never combine two colonies - unfamiliar animals are not readily accepted. Watch food and humidity closely once the colony grows.

Notes

It stays small (50–300 animals) and needs correspondingly little space — good for anyone who does not want to set up a large enclosure.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Nylander's acorn ant (Temnothorax nylanderi) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Asian carpenter ant (Camponotus nicobarensis) – Beginner
• Leafcutter ant (Acromyrmex octospinosus) – Experts
• 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
• Leafcutter ant (Atta cephalotes) – Experts

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Nylander's acorn ant (Temnothorax nylanderi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a test tube or small nest plus a foraging area from 15×15 cm), substrate (A nest in an acorn, a branch or a test tube), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.