This is our first time raising ants. We are very happy with the results so far!
Sale
Giant Big-Headed Ant (Pheidole rhea)
Sale price
$185.00
Regular price
$235.00
Save $50.00
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: 5.0 / 5 from 11 reviews.
Precious and healthy Pheidole Rhea colony
I returned for a second purchase after my first colony thrived, and the experience was equally positive. A trustworthy source.
got it for my partner who has been wanting to get into ant keeping. they were thrilled and the colony is doing amazing.
super happy with this colony, everything about it was great. Cant get over how big the soldier heads are
got this for a classroom observation setup and it has been amazing. the kids are obsessed and the colony is thriving on the windowsill. The soldiers with the giant heads are hilarious and awesome
Transitioning the colony into my formicarium was seamless. The queen continued laying throughout the move without any disruption.
The package arrived ahead of schedule and the colony was in excellent condition. Workers were active immediately upon arrival. The soldiers with their oversized heads are remarkable to observe.
The queen arrived with an established brood pile and has continued laying steadily. Colony growth is well ahead of expectations.
moved them into their new tube without any drama, queen kept laying like nothing happened. really smooth.
using this for a homeschool science project and it is incredible. my kids have learned so much just from watching. colony arrived perfect. The soldiers with the giant heads are hilarious and awesome
American Ant Store
Giant Big-Headed Ant (Pheidole rhea)
Sale price
$185.00
Regular price
$235.00
Save $50.00
American Ant Store
Giant Big-Headed Ant (Pheidole rhea)
Description
Pheidole rhea (Giant Big-Headed Ant)
Pheidole rhea is one of the largest and most visually impressive big-headed ant species. These ants display a strong caste system, and the workers are trimorphic rather than merely dimorphic, so a mature colony runs small minors, large majors, and super majors whose heads are out of all proportion to their bodies.
Native to the American Southwest, P. rhea colonies grow rapidly when provided with warmth and food. They are highly active and social, creating constant movement in the nest and outworld. This balance of activity and structure makes them an exceptional species for keepers who love to observe colony dynamics.
With bright reddish-brown coloration and oversized majors, P. rhea offers both aesthetic appeal and biological interest, making it one of the most engaging big-headed ants for sale today.
Species Info
General:
Large, fast-growing big-headed ant species with clear major and minor caste differentiation.
Diet:
A true seed harvester. Keep a stock of seeds in the nest, feed insect protein to push growth, and offer byFormica Ant Nectar or sugar water for carbohydrates.
Temperature:
Keep the warm end of the nest at 82 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, with moderate humidity near the brood. This species does not grow at room temperature, so real heat is not optional here.
Nest:
Sand or loam setups with dry outworld.
Diapause:
Not required. Kept warm and fed through the winter, colonies keep growing.
Growth:
Rapid; colonies multiply quickly under heat and nutrition.
Queen size: 10 to 14 mm. Minor workers: 3 to 4 mm. Majors: 6 to 8 mm, with super majors in mature colonies
Note: All ants for sale have a range where the species is native. Always check your local regulations before purchasing live ants.
States Native: Arizona, California, New Mexico
Learn more: Pheidole Ant Care Guide | Ant Feeding Guide
Learn more: Pheidole Ant Care Guide | All Big-Headed Ants | 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.