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Camponotus ocreatus — Orange Desert Carpenter Ant
Sale price
$85.00
Regular price
$100.00
Save $15.00
Live arrival guarantee. Your ants arrive alive and healthy, or we send a free replacement within 5 days.
FREE Overnight Shipping on orders $100+. Add a second queen or colony and most orders qualify. Under $100, it's $24.99 flat.
Ships via UPS Next Day Air, Monday to Thursday, and arrives by noon the next day. Heat or ice pack included free.
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Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.7 / 5 from 7 reviews.
The ants arrived quickly and in good shape. A large pretty queen and a few workers. They seemed healthy and active. The website said every shipment included a care card, there was nothing in the box except ants and cool packs. They say the guides are available online, the links are broken to the species guides. They tell you to start with feeding guide, then hydration, then the species specific guide. None worked except the feeding guide. 1 of 3. Support did answer my email saying they were fine in the test tube and they would send me the care guides later.
Package got here quick and the whole colony was in great shape. the setup was clean and nothing dried out on the way.
Showed up right on time and everyone was alive and moving around. workers were moving immediately, no sluggishness at all.
The colony was delivered on time and in flawless condition. Workers were active immediately upon arrival. Beautiful coloration and the larger workers are striking.
I purchased this colony as part of a classroom observation project. The colony arrived healthy and has been an exceptional educational resource. The size difference between the majors and minors is impressive even at this stage.
left the tube connected to a small outworld overnight and by morning they had started exploring. such a cool process to watch.
American Ant Store
Camponotus ocreatus — Orange Desert Carpenter Ant
Sale price
$85.00
Regular price
$100.00
Save $15.00
American Ant Store
Camponotus ocreatus — Orange Desert Carpenter Ant
Description
Camponotus ocreatus at a glance
- Common name: Orange desert carpenter ant
- Range: Southwestern US — Arizona, New Mexico, southern California, Nevada, Utah
- Founding: Fully claustral — a lone queen needs only a test tube setup, no feeding until first workers
- Diet: Sugars (nectar, byFormica Ant Nectar) plus insect protein once workers arrive
- Temperature: 75–85°F; tolerates desert heat, give a mild winter cool-down
- Difficulty: Beginner friendly — hardy, bold, and forgiving of small mistakes
Orange Desert Carpenter Ant (Camponotus ocreatus)
Camponotus ocreatus is an eye-catching species native to the southwestern United States, easily identified by its deep black body paired with vivid orange legs. This dramatic contrast makes Camponotus ocreatus one of the most visually unique carpenter ants available to hobbyists. Active, bold, and charismatic, this species is ideal for keepers seeking a stunning display colony.
These ants are fast-moving and highly exploratory, making them entertaining to observe in naturalistic formicaria. Colonies begin slowly but accelerate once established, developing into large, organized societies with impressive caste variation. Majors are especially striking with their broad heads and intense coloration.
In the wild, Camponotus ocreatus inhabits arid woodland and desert regions, nesting in rotting wood, loose soil, and dry debris. In captivity, they thrive when provided with moderate warmth, controlled humidity, and consistent access to sugar and protein. Their distinctive appearance and active foraging behavior make them a standout species for both intermediate and advanced keepers.
Species Info
General:
A highly attractive carpenter ant featuring vivid orange legs and a glossy black body. Known for active behavior, striking majors, and strong colony structure.
Diet:
Provide byFormica Ant Nectar, sugar solutions, and protein sources such as crickets, mealworms, or roaches.
Temperature:
Maintain 78–85°F with moderate humidity in brood areas.
Nest:
Acrylic, wood-based, or desert-style formicaria all work well. Keep brood chambers slightly humid with a dry outworld.
Diapause:
Yes, benefits from a mild winter diapause of 1–2 months.
Growth:
Moderate. Colonies establish steadily and become highly active once mature.
Queen size: 12–14 mm Worker size: 5–10 mm
States Native: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah
Learn more: Carpenter Ant Care Guide | Ant Feeding Guide
Shipping Information
Shipping happens from Monday-Thursday via UPS Next Day Air. Flat Rate $24.99 Charge. From the moment your order is shipped you can expect to receive them no later than 12pm the following day!
Please note, orders take between 1 to 3 business days to process and ship. If you would like your order to be shipped the same day please email us at support@americanantstore.com with your order number as the subject line and the email text "SHIP TODAY". We will do our best to ensure it goes out the same day!
During the summer ants are shipped with an icepack at no additional charge. The same goes for shipments during winter with a heat pack!
Live Arrival Guarantee
Live Arrival Guarantee
Every colony we ship is backed by our Premium Live Arrival Guarantee. We pack with care so your ants arrive alive, healthy, and ready to thrive.
5-Day Health Guarantee
We proudly offer an industry-leading 5-day health guarantee on all colonies. If your queen or colony declines within this period, we will provide one complimentary replacement, no questions asked.
Simple, Hassle-Free Replacement Process
If an issue occurs, just send clear photo proof within 5 days of delivery and we’ll take care of the rest.
Email: support@americanantstore.com
Live Animal Responsibility
These are live animals. We are not responsible for ants left outside in extreme temperatures, including summer heat or winter cold, or for packages that sit unattended after delivery. Proper and prompt retrieval is essential for their safety.
Commitment to Quality
We take exceptional care in raising, packing, and shipping every colony, and we stand behind the quality of each queen or colony we send out.