Cataglyphis aenescens

Ants of Cataglyphis aenescens are easy to keep and therefor suitable for beginners. They have long legs, are very fast and are pretty shy. Even when the colony has thousands of workers they rather avoid conflict and go about their own business.

Size & colony type
Queen: aprox. 10mm – 11mm
Workers: aprox. 7mm – 8mm
Soldiers: n/a
Colony type: polygyne
Colony size: about 15,000 – 20,000 workers per colony
Keeping difficulty: Easy.

Habitat
Distribution: Asia
Habitat: often found in desert-like area’s
Natural nest: they often build their nests underground
Suitable formicaria: Ytong-, plaster- and 3D nests are all suitable for this species
Recommended humidity: 50% – 70%
Recommended temperature: 21°C – 26°C
Nutrition: a sugar source such as honey or sugarwater and a protein source such as prey insects like crickets or fruitflies. Insect jelly is also a suitable feeder since it contains both sugar and protein and varius other beneficial components

Misc
Hibernation: yes, from the end of october till the end of march
Claustral: yes, no need to feed until the first workers arrive
Matingflight period: june – july
Egg to worker: 8 to 12 weeks depending on how they are being kept