Quick answer. Camponotus nicobarensis is the tropical ant recommended for anyone who wants to move on to exotics without complications. It's a medium-sized Asian carpenter ant, with workers from six to twelve millimetres, that grows fast, copes well with changes and doesn't demand extreme humidity. With a stable temperature between 24 and 28 degrees, a constant supply of sugars and some insects twice a week, a founding colony can reach several hundred workers in its first year. It doesn't go into diapause, so it grows all year round as long as you keep it warm. It's the exotic with the best balance between what it asks for and what it shows you.
At a glance
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Size | Workers from 6 to 12 mm, with castes of different sizes |
| Diet | Sugars and insects |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Humidity | Medium-high, with a gradient inside the nest |
| Difficulty | Medium, the most tolerant of the exotics |
What the species is like
It's active, very visible and fast in the foraging area, which makes it entertaining from the first month. Workers vary in size within the same colony, so you'll see sturdier majors handling the heavy tasks. They respond very well to nectar and jelly, and that's the best time to watch them.
Its main virtue is that it's forgiving. A one-off lapse in humidity or a couple of days without food won't ruin the colony, which can't be said of most tropical species.
What the colony needs
Stable heat and a nest with adjustable humidity. Because it grows fast, it's worth planning the expansion from the start: a small module for the founding colony and the option of connecting a larger one a few months later. The modular system solves that without moving the colony, and a large foraging area suits it given how active it is.
Recommended setup, from founding to a large colony
- To leave the tube: Terra Starter V2 Ant Nest, designed for Camponotus founding colonies of up to about 10 workers.
- As it grows: connect a Terra M V2 Ant Nest without moving the colony (30 to 50 Camponotus workers) and, later, a Terra L V2 (80 to 100) or a Terra XL V2 (200 to 300).
- As a large foraging area: a Terra L V2 Foraging Area (€34.99).
These are guideline ranges taken from our product pages.
Frequently asked questions
Is it good as a first colony?
As a first exotic, yes. As a first colony in general, it's better to start with a native species, which needs no heating.
Does it go into diapause?
No. It's tropical and stays active all year round if you keep the temperature up.
Does it need heating?
Yes, unless your home stays between 24 and 28 °C all year round. It's tropical and doesn't go into diapause, so in winter or in a cool room it needs a gentle heat source so brood development doesn't slow down.
What should I feed it?
A source of sugars that's always available, and insect protein once or twice a week while there's brood.
Remember: exotic species must always be kept in a closed setup and never released into the wild.
Last updated: October 4, 2026.