Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey into the realm of Camponotus nicobarensis, a remarkable and unique ant species of carpenter ants that have captured the hearts of Ant enthusiasts worldwide, including ourselves. This comprehensive guide will unveil the captivating world of these fascinating insects, providing you with a wealth of knowledge to appreciate their unique traits and foster a deeper connection with these incredible creatures. We will follow one year Nico's development step by step, week by week. We will explain in detail why these lovely creatures are the best possible exotic ants for a beginner ant-keeper.
An Introduction to Camponotus Nicobarensis
Camponotus nicobarensis, commonly referred to as the red-orange and black carpenter ant, is a species that belongs to the genus Camponotus, renowned for its remarkable diversity. These ants are native to various regions of Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, China, and Taiwan. Their vibrant colouration, a striking blend of red-orange and black, immediately captivates the eye, making them a visual delight for any Ant enthusiast.
Taxonomy and Classification
Camponotus nicobarensis falls under the subgenus Tanaemyrmex, also known as Slim Carpenter Ants. These ants are classified in Group VII: irritants-thrash, where the head of minor workers exhibits an alpha form, with sides substantially parallel. This taxonomic classification provides valuable insights into the morphological characteristics and evolutionary relationships within the genus Camponotus.
Colony Structure and Size
One of the most fascinating aspects of Camponotus nicobarensis is its colony structure. They come in two variations: Monogyne, with a single queen per colony, or Polygyne, with multiple queens depending on their origin. The colonies in the north of Yunnan (South China) are mostly monogyne and the rest, distributed in the south of Yunnan (South China) are polygene.
The polygynous colony type means that multiple queens can coexist within a single colony. The colony size can range from 5,000 to an astonishing 20,000 workers, showcasing the remarkable social organization and cooperation within this ant society.
Queen Characteristics
The queens of Camponotus nicobarensis are truly remarkable creatures. Measuring around 14-16 millimetres in length, they are the largest members of the colony. The queens are fully claustral (do not require food until the first workers hatch). We do recommend treating your exotic queen as a real royalty so give her a drop of ant honey and protein jelly once a week during the founding stage.
Their robust thorax and impressive lifespan of up to an astonishing 25 years are testament to their resilience and adaptability.
Worker Polymorphism
One of the defining features of Camponotus nicobarensis is the presence of worker polymorphism. Workers exhibit a range of sizes, from 5 to 7 millimetres for minor workers to 8 to 12 millimetres for majors. This variation in size allows for efficient division of labour and specialized roles within the colony, contributing to its overall success. Small workers usually help the queen and look after the brood while the majors guard the colony from predators and deal with larger prey.
Habitat and Nesting Preferences
In their natural habitat, Camponotus nicobarensis ants are known to nest in a variety of locations, including rotten wood trunks, logs, and bark. They thrive in damp and decaying environments, where the high moisture content and warmth provide ideal conditions for their nests. These nimble and industrious ants discard waste wood from their digging activities, leaving a distinctive sawdust-like trail around their nesting sites. We do recommend you invest in a proper ant farm for these little beasts.
Find out more about Ant Farm Kits Everything You Need to Know Before Making a Purchase.
Nutritional Requirements
Camponotus nicobarensis is an omnivorous species with diverse dietary needs.
Feeding these ants is a breeze! To maintain a healthy colony, these ants require a balanced diet consisting of live prey, such as cockroaches and crickets, which provide essential proteins. Additionally, they relish syrup made from a mixture of water and Ant honey, as well as fruits, vegetables, jelly, and cooked chicken without salt. You can also treat them with our Best Ants UK Protein Jelly, a nutritious substitute for live food.
Environmental Conditions
Maintaining optimal environmental conditions is crucial for the successful keeping of Camponotus nicobarensis colonies. In the outworld area, the humidity should be maintained between 30% and 50% so do not moisture the arena's substrate at all, while in the nest area, it should be kept at 60% to 70%. The temperature inside the outworld (arena) should range from 21 to 35°C, while the nest area, where the colony resides, should have a temperature range of 24 to 28°C. FYI: lower temps are at night and higher are daily so you must get a heating mat with a thermostat if you want these ants to thrive here in the UK.
Behavioural Traits
Camponotus nicobarensis is generally considered a shy species of ant. However, when their nest or colony is threatened, they display remarkable courage and engage in fierce defensive behaviour. Their ability to protect their nests efficiently showcases the cohesion and cooperation within the colony, making them fascinating subjects for observation and study. These ants do not sting making them ideal for children! They forage mostly at night but once the colony gets 100+ workers you will enjoy them 24/7.
We recommend these ants for children 8 years old or over. If under 8, the dad or mum (an adult) must help occasionally.
Recommended Nesting Materials
When it comes to selecting nests for breeding Camponotus nicobarensis, several materials are suitable for their colonies. Acrylic and plaster, are all recommended options along with our ant farms designed for carpenter ants. These materials provide the necessary insulation and protection for the ants while allowing for easy observation and maintenance of the colony. AVOID aerated concrete (Ytong) as it's toxic (releases toxic gas) to these ants after being moisturized, which is inevitable. In the picture below is our Antie Ant Farm.
Lifecycle and Development
The lifecycle and development of Camponotus nicobarensis are fascinating processes to observe. Development time is between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on the ant nest's temperature. The warmer the faster. If you keep your ant nest at 28°C then you can expect egg to adult worker developing time of only 28 days! Once the colony reaches around 30-40 workers it will explode afterwards and we mean it. You can expect another 100 in just two months.
Understanding the different stages of their lifecycle can provide valuable insights into their growth patterns and colony dynamics.
Nuptial Flights and Reproduction
Camponotus nicobarensis experiences nuptial flights, a crucial event in their reproductive cycle. These flights typically occur between late February and June, depending on the region. In Malaysia, the first nicos queens fly in March. During this period, winged males and virgin queens take to the skies, engaging in a spectacular mating ritual that ensures the continuation of their species.
Diapause and Seasonal Adaptations
And here's the best part - Camponotus Nicobarensis ants don't hibernate, making them an excellent choice for beginners looking for low-maintenance pets. We recommend a short one-month diapause, in November so just switch the heating mat off and that is all. Feed them twice this month and make sure the colony always has a freshwater supply.
One of the intriguing aspects of Camponotus nicobarensis is its ability to adapt to various climatic conditions. While often referred to as a tropical species, these ants have demonstrated remarkable resilience in colder regions, raising questions about their diapause (a state of dormancy) and seasonal adaptations.
Researchers have proposed that Camponotus nicobarensis may fall into the heterodynamic category, exhibiting an exogenous-heterodynamic behavior. This means that their diapause is optional and occurs only when temperatures drop below a certain threshold. Under optimal conditions, they can exhibit continuous and unlimited development, akin to homodynamic species.
However, further scientific studies are necessary to validate these assumptions and gain a deeper understanding of the seasonal adaptations and diapause mechanisms of this fascinating species.
Captive Care and Husbandry
Camponotus nicobarensis is often regarded as an excellent choice for those starting to keep tropical or exotic ant species. Their forgiving nature, rapid growth, diverse dietary preferences, and relatively docile temperament make them suitable for both beginners and experienced ant keepers.
When maintaining Camponotus nicobarensis colonies in captivity, it is essential to provide appropriate nesting conditions, a balanced diet, and optimal environmental parameters. Regular monitoring and adjustment of humidity and temperature levels are crucial to ensure the colony's well-being and successful development. That is why we recommend a nest with a pre-installed thermometer and humidity meter.
Keeping nicos is a real delight. Follow these feeding rules and you can not go wrong.
Feed them twice a week with Protein jelly on Monday and Thursday.
Give them Ant Honey once a week on Saturday.
Every three months swap the protein jelly with a live food, which might be locusts, crickets or even mealworms but Nicobarensis prefer locusts.
When the live food small tub ends, keep feeding them with Protein jelly.
Make sure you follow our guidance on the recommended temperatures and humidity inside the nest and outworld. Do not stress the queen! Check on her once a week and not more often. Get an IR camera if you want to keep an eye on the colony development every night. That's all folks!
Conclusion
Camponotus nicobarensis is a captivating species that offers a unique window into the fascinating world of carpenter ants. From their vibrant colouration and remarkable colony structure to their diverse dietary preferences and adaptations, these ants have captured the hearts of ant enthusiasts worldwide. By understanding their biology, behaviour, and husbandry requirements, we can foster a deeper appreciation for these incredible creatures and contribute to the preservation of their species in both natural and captive environments.