Quick answer. Crematogaster scutellaris is the Mediterranean acrobat ant, easy to recognise by its reddish head on a dark body and by its habit of raising its abdomen in a heart shape when it feels threatened. It's tree-dwelling: in the wild it nests in dead wood and under bark, and in captivity it appreciates height and vertical shelters. It forms large colonies, grows fast and eats sugars and insects. It's native, doesn't need heating and slows down in winter. Easy to keep, with one caveat: it climbs and escapes remarkably easily.
At a glance
| Origin | Mediterranean basin |
| Habit | Tree-dwelling, nests in wood and bark |
| Diet | Sugars and insects |
| Temperature | 20-28 °C in the active season |
| Diapause | Yes, mild |
| Difficulty | Easy, keeping an eye on the seal |
What the species is like
It's one of the most active ants you can keep: it roams the foraging area non-stop, finds food within minutes and reacts as a group to any movement. The gesture of raising the gaster is constant and very characteristic.
Being tree-dwelling, it makes use of any vertical surface, including the walls of the foraging area, so the seal and anti-escape barriers matter more than with a ground-dwelling species.
What the colony needs
Moderate humidity, room to grow and vertical features. A natural cork tube or a cork panel in the foraging area recreates its environment, and the modular range lets you expand when the colony takes off.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get it?
At AntMaster it costs €0: a fertilised queen and a colony, in Free Ants, subject to availability.
Why does it escape so much?
Because it's a very good climber and it's small. Check seals and gates before opening anything.
Does it need wood in the nest?
It isn't essential, but cork in the foraging area makes its behaviour much more natural.
Last updated: September 21, 2026.