{"product_id":"tetramorium-bicarinatum-guinea-ant","title":"Tetramorium Bicarinatum (Guinea Ant) - Live Queen Ant Colony","description":"\u003ctable style=\"height: 19.5938px;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty: Easy (beginner-friendly)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey’re hardy, very adaptable, and they grow into a busy, super active colony that’s always out exploring and foraging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"height: 19.5938px;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"347\" data-end=\"392\"\u003eOverview + key features (why keep them?):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"392\" data-end=\"395\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species is all about \u003cstrong data-end=\"423\" data-start=\"404\"\u003econstant action\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cem data-end=\"450\" data-start=\"425\"\u003eTetramorium bicarinatum\u003c\/em\u003e is a small, energetic “tramp” ant that’s become successful worldwide because it’s so good at thriving in lots of conditions—and in captivity that translates into a colony that \u003cstrong data-end=\"678\" data-start=\"627\"\u003eeats eagerly, expands quickly, and stays active\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"720\" data-start=\"717\"\u003eLooks-wise, they’re seriously underrated: workers are typically \u003cstrong data-end=\"822\" data-start=\"784\"\u003ereddish-brown with a darker gaster\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving them a sharp, high-contrast “armored” look even though they’re small. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"941\" data-start=\"938\"\u003eBehavior-wise, they’re the kind of ants that make your outworld feel alive: once they learn where food appears, they become \u003cstrong data-end=\"1094\" data-start=\"1065\"\u003ehighly organized foragers\u003c\/strong\u003e and will reliably show up in force. In the wild they’re also known for using sweet resources like honeydew (from insects such as aphids\/mealybugs\/scale), which matches how enthusiastically they take sugar foods in captivity. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1360\" data-start=\"1357\"\u003eThey’re also known for forming \u003cstrong data-end=\"1434\" data-start=\"1391\"\u003elarge, multi-queen, multi-nest colonies\u003c\/strong\u003e in many places—so when you want a species that can scale into a seriously impressive “network” over time, this one has that potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet: Omnivore (sugars + insect protein)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn captivity: give a constant \u003cstrong data-end=\"1666\" data-start=\"1650\"\u003esugar source\u003c\/strong\u003e (sugar water \/ honey water \/ nectar) and add \u003cstrong data-end=\"1723\" data-start=\"1712\"\u003eprotein\u003c\/strong\u003e regularly (small feeder insects or chopped insects) to fuel brood growth. You can also offer \u003cstrong data-end=\"1831\" data-start=\"1817\"\u003eoily seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e as an extra option some keepers use. In the wild: they use sugar-rich foods and are reported tending honeydew-producing insects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 100%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1660\" data-start=\"1643\"\u003eFounding type: Fully claustral\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1663\" data-start=\"1660\"\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mated queen can start her first workers in a simple founding setup without needing to forage outside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 100%;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColony structure: Polygynous and often polydomous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"1947\" data-start=\"1944\"\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ecolonies can support \u003cstrong data-end=\"2300\" data-start=\"2281\"\u003emultiple queens\u003c\/strong\u003e, and one colony can occupy \u003cstrong data-end=\"2361\" data-start=\"2328\"\u003emultiple connected nest areas\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is a big reason they can become so busy and impressive. \u003cstrong data-start=\"2498\" data-end=\"2561\"\u003eWe offer both single queen and multi queen options.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable height=\"30\" style=\"width: 100.165%;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 100%;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2680\" data-start=\"2652\"\u003eQueen and worker sizing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2683\" data-start=\"2680\"\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorkers are small (around \u003cstrong data-end=\"2529\" data-start=\"2520\"\u003e~3 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e class)\u003cbr\u003eQueens are only \u003cstrong data-end=\"2577\" data-start=\"2558\"\u003eslightly larger\u003c\/strong\u003e than workers (often described as “similar to workers but bigger, with wing bases”).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e \u003cstrong data-end=\"2473\" data-start=\"2442\"\u003eGrowth \/ mature colony size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2476\" data-start=\"2473\"\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith steady feeding, they can build into \u003cstrong data-end=\"2801\" data-start=\"2778\"\u003every large colonies\u003c\/strong\u003e (especially when multiple queens are present), which is why they’re loved as a “high activity” display species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"3146\" data-start=\"3133\"\u003eDiapause (Hibernation):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2748\" data-start=\"2745\"\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3007\" data-start=\"2984\"\u003eNo (not typically).\u003c\/strong\u003e This is commonly treated as a warm-kept species rather than a winter-diapause ant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTemperature \u0026amp; humidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3163\" data-end=\"3209\"\u003eRecommended nest temperature and humidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong data-start=\"3210\" data-end=\"3221\"\u003e20–26°C\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"3226\" data-end=\"3246\"\u003e50–70% humidity.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3286\" data-end=\"3289\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3289\" data-end=\"3327\"\u003eOutworld temperature and humidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong data-start=\"3328\" data-end=\"3339\"\u003e22–28°C\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"3344\" data-end=\"3364\"\u003e40–60% humidity.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"height: 19.5938px; width: 100%;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 19.5938px; width: 100%;\"\u003e \u003cstrong data-end=\"4033\" data-start=\"4019\"\u003eRecommended setup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"4036\" data-start=\"4033\"\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey do best in \u003cstrong data-start=\"3446\" data-end=\"3511\"\u003eany of our non-wood formicariums (nests) that offer hydration\u003c\/strong\u003e—our \u003cstrong data-start=\"3516\" data-end=\"3533\"\u003eplaster nests\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"3538\" data-end=\"3573\"\u003e3D-printed nests with hydration\u003c\/strong\u003e are perfect because you can keep brood areas comfortably humid while the outworld stays drier and clean. \u003cstrong data-start=\"3679\" data-end=\"3707\"\u003eSubstrate isn’t required\u003c\/strong\u003e at all; they do amazing in a simple, easy-maintenance setup where you can clearly watch the foraging lines and colony traffic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBig thank you to \u003cstrong data-end=\"209\" data-start=\"17\"\u003exiaoxia1080p, passcho, boingohamster, pranav11, riki_paleatus, keentied, r00t2400, zhou_yu, flossiepip, wedgie_eagle, cdhsiao, mason_s, tfandre, alex_insect, aaron567, kimssight, nickvolpe\u003c\/strong\u003e for the ant photos featured here, with images used in accordance with their listed iNaturalist licenses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Queens'N'Colonies","offers":[{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 1-5 workers)","offer_id":51930657849620,"sku":null,"price":49.47,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 5-10 workers)","offer_id":51930657947924,"sku":null,"price":54.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 10-25 workers)","offer_id":51930658046228,"sku":null,"price":59.47,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 25-50 workers)","offer_id":51930658144532,"sku":null,"price":69.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 50-100 workers)","offer_id":51930658242836,"sku":null,"price":84.47,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 Queens \/ Queen(s) (with 100-250 workers)","offer_id":51930658341140,"sku":null,"price":94.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5 Queens \/ Queen(s) 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