North Africa / Orient
Queen:
15-17mm
Workers:
5-16mm
Air moisture:
30-50%
Temperature:
20-35°C
Hibernation:
No
Nest-building:
Soil nests, often under stones and in sand
Particularities:
This large, striking red-black species from the bicolour group is widespread all over North Africa. A very robust and assertive species. When their nest is disturbed, these ants become furiously aggressive. Bites from larger ants can draw blood, so that caution is recommended when handling them. These large, long-limbed and graceful ants make grateful fosterlings, and as is the case with all bicolour species, colonies can live for at least ten years, provided they receive plenty of food and are kept in the right conditions. Colony sizes range from one-thousand to three-hundred thousand animals. During their first year of foundation, in the right conditions, colonies can reach sizes that range from 100 to 300 individuals. This species tends to swell in plains with sparse ground vegetation and clayey soil. As is the case with all Cataglyphis species from the bicolour group, these ants curl their abdomen upwards when ground temperatures are high or under bright light.
I bought a colony of these which arrived about the 18th Oct 2011. I had previously constructed a y-tong nest prior to the ant arriving and siliconed it in place inside the 40x25x25cm arena. The substarte in fine white reptile sand and i poured some into the nest. The y-tong was still slightly damp after washing and the sand stuck to the condensation on the glass obstructing the view, but it is slowly dissapearing. I am using a perspex vented lid with a daylight bulb and the arena is heated by a heatmat on the bottom with a stat for safety. The temp on the surface is about 40c and 25c at the top.
About 50 ish ants arrived but no eggs larvae or pupae which was a bit worrying and were held in a small plastic tub with toilet paper inside. Opening the lid the ants were soon exploring their new home. When i went back to see later i saw a large worker carrying the queen. I thought she was dead and went to touch it and she riggled slightly and the worker put her down only for another worker to pick her up just like a female cat with a kitten and took her into the nest.
Worker carrying queen
Queen waiting to be picked up by another worker
I have offered them sugar and honey water but ive only seen one or two ants feeding from both so no real preferance yet. Also fed mealworms and crickets which i have directly dropped into the nest. The ant act extremely violently and overcome the prey quickly. There are two mealworm beetles living in the arena but these have been untouched.
When the cover is removed from the nest the ants panic and run everywhere. I have noticed some carrying small white lumps as they are running and assumed it was sand but i managed to catch a snap on my camera and i was very pleased to see that they were carrying larvae.
Not great pics but you can see the small larvae.
Edit Uta - --> to Cataglyphis forum
Although after the move from the package to the new nest i could see no sign of any brood and suddenly we are here. 
I only ever get a fleeting glimpse of the queen because as i take the cover from the nest there is mass panic. Its quite difficult to see her as some of the workers are as big as her. Hopefully i will see her soon.
