Camponotus sansabeanus

Camponotus sansabeanus
 
A large, extremely active and aggressive species of ant found throughout the Southwest of the United States and Northern Mexico. Camponotus sansabeanus colonies are land dwelling and are often found deeply underground within semi-desert habitats.
 
Like other species of belonging to the genera Camponotus spp. , large majors with powerful mandibles will develop as the colony matures. These impressive worker ants can reach almost the same size of the queen at 16-18mm.
 
Mature colonies can often be found to contain upto 8-12,000 individuals. However, such sizes takes many years to establish due to their relatively slow growing nature. 
 
This striking, black and orange species of ant is mainly active throughout the evenings and nights and is therefore, cosnidered to be mainly nocturnal. However, in captivity, workers will readily forage throughout most of the day, accepting a large range of insects, from mealworms to fruit flies to roaches.
 
To ensure colonies thrive, it is recommended that they are kept at a relatively high temperature between 26-28C and moderate humidity level of 50%. 
 
It is illegal and strictly frowned upon to release any non-native ants into the wild.