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"Camponotus gigas is one of the largest ants in the world. They are nocturnal foragers and show ritual battles along their territory borders.
About the attitude of these very interesting ant is so far, unfortunately, almost nothing yet known."
My young colony has been doing well, this is why I have decided that now is the right time to post my journal here.
16/10/15
I recieved my Camponotus gigas Queen. She arrived from Malaysia to the UK within 5 days.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5756/21597840643_aaaf346889.jpg Camponotus gigas 16/10/15 by che hawkins , on Flickr
The Queen has been housed inside a very simple setup consisting of humus and cork bark. This setup isn't permanent. Once I feel that this colony has enough workers, I will offer them a glass basin 60x30x30 cm arena that is planted and made to look natural. The nest will be expand as and when required.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5790/21596115814_da6cb08ef5.jpg Camponotus gigas 16/10/15 by che hawkins , on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/627/22030804130_682be72304.jpg Camponotus gigas 16/10/15 by che hawkins , on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/780/22030803020_6757a51aa3.jpg Camponotus gigas 16/10/15 by che hawkins , on Flickr
Cork bark wedged against the side of the enclosure has been offered for the queen as a ready to use nest site
09/12/15
Day 53
The Queen had produced two cocoons along with a handful of larvae.
31/12/15
Day 75
The first worker had hatched.
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03/01/16
The second worker hatched
24/01/16
The small colony has been growing without any problems. As of now the colony has 3 cocoons and a mixture of large and small larvae, 1 cocoon is ready to hatch any day now.
Temps stay between 24-26 Celsius. Humidity remains high with regular misting intervals every 2 days.
Hopefully I can capture some foraging activity when the new workers arrive. This colony is so far being kept in complete darkness.
Despite what I have researched. In my handling experience so far, this species isn't sensitive to vibrations at all . Shining an LED light directly into the nest doesn't even cause a reaction from the colony. I've had far more complications with species such as C.ligniperdus and M.barbarus.
If they weren't so incredibly rare, I'd recommend them as an ideal starter tropical species.
I shall update this colony's progress as often as I have some significance to report.
Thanks for reading.
Camponotus gigas has now been reclassified as Dinomyrmex gigas. (Title change please)
The two Nanitic workers plucked up the courage to drag a cricket into the nest tonight.
It was nice seeing them enjoy their first solid proteins.
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Hope your colony do well :P