Camponotus Cinctellus - Beginner/Intermediate Species
 
Cinctellus are easily one of the most beautiful species of African ant. Their shimmering metallic gold gasters and dusted gold body gives a wonderful shine in different lighting conditions.
 
Native to south and south east Africa they can be found in most subtropical habitats. Ranging from in the soil of Savannah and grassland to the sub-tropical rain forests within the roots of trees.
 
Cinctellus do not hibernate, although they have a biological rhythm which causes them to rest in the dry season, this cleaver adaptation means that a colony does not spend excess energy on brood or feeding in the driest African months, although this spell is brief in colonies living within the humid forests. 
 
These girls are lightning fast and avid workers who can quickly scavenge goods and resources then return to their underground nest. This is a wise adaption especially in places where their locale is home to Saifu (The African driver ant) and staying safe underground during the day is wise until they are in their bivouac. As such this species has higher activity and likes to scavenge in twilight and nocturnally unless they are fully founded.
 
As with most Camponotus they are a fairly slow growing species to begin, but once a colony reaches 1000 workers they rapidly expand to their full capacity of 4000 to 8000 workers with a usual average around 6,000.
 
Overall they are easy to found and enjoy fruit, aphid honeydew and insects. Although only a medium size their beauty makes them a must have for any seasoned ant-keeper.
 
Colony Size 
Up to 4,000 - 8,000 workers
Queen 
Age - Up to 23 years
Fully Claustral - No food until first workers
Monogyne (single Queen per colony)
Temperature & Humidity 
Nest: 24 to 28 degrees | 23 to 30 degrees in Outworld
50% to 70% in Nest | 40% to 80% in Outworld
Hibernation 
No
Polymorphic (Different size casts)
Yes - Very polymorphic with Minor, Media and Major workers.
Sting | Bite 
No | Yes - Majors can Pinch
Diet 
Protein, Lots of Sugars, Lots of Water
Nest Type 
Natural, Acrylic, Sand, Earth, Glass, Plaster, Ytong
Size
Queen - 13mm-14mm
Worker - 5mm-8mm
Major - 9mm to 12mm
Development 
Egg to Adult Worker - 9 to 12 weeks