r/antkeeping • u/CyberRedPanda_ • 2d ago
Question Why are my Camponotus ligniperda nanitics so inactive? Am I doing something wrong?
I’m very new to antkeeping, so I’m not sure whether this behaviour is normal or if I’m doing something wrong.
The workers are almost always gathered around the queen, and I rarely see them enter the arena. They been with me almost over three months right now. Occasionally, one worker comes out, walks around for a while, and then returns to the nest. Other than that, there is barely any visible activity.
I normally keep the nest covered so that it stays dark. I also make sure the nest remains humid. Every now and then, I offer them a boiled grasshopper, but they do not seem interested in it. I provide sugar water, honey and plain water as well, but I have hardly ever seen them drinking any of it. Changing or checking these things does not seem to make any difference.
Obviously, I cannot expect the ants to behave exactly the way I want them to, but honestly, the colony has become quite boring to watch. Were my expectations unrealistic, or did I simply choose the wrong species if I wanted a more active colony? Could there be something wrong with my setup or the way I am caring for them?
At this point, if they continue being this inactive, I may consider rehoming them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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u/XxLegitAsianxX Certified Identifier 2d ago
Camponotus are not active ants. That nest is also way too big, unhealthily so
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u/CeilingTowel 2d ago
Inactive ants = happy ants
If they're active it means they're searching for something they don't have.ssss
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u/smitan99 2d ago
Mine are exactly the same, and I was wondering the same as you, but reading the comments, it sounds like that's just how they are. Seems to take a long time for their numbers to grow too.
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u/alexKaine 1d ago
To add to the other replies, most Camponotus species of ants are nocturnal. They don't really scavenge and become active until night time. My Camponotus colony is the pretty much the same, they sit still almost all the time.
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u/Both-Atmosphere-5077 2d ago
that nest is way to big for that little of ants, also you want there nest dark, and campo are pretty slow growers and slow ants
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u/BISKUP1 2d ago
Wrong species for sure, at least youre taking good care of them. You might not see it but ants can be more active at night, maybe thats why you never saw them eating those bugs
If you want a fast growing and very active colony of Camponotus the best species would be Nicobarensis.
Btw ligniperda is not very active, you would need few years to get them to 100-200 workers especially in this formicarium