Bay Area Ants

  One of my favorite genera to keep is Camponotus , they are large and relatively simple to care for, making them great starter ants. One of my favorite local Camponotus  species in the California Bay Area is Camponotus maritimus .       This species of ant is a tad bit harder than other Camponotus  species that I have kept, as their queens are rather skittish. However, given the right care, they are hardy ants and are a joy to keep. In this post, I will cover this species' general details, as well as some tips and information or rearing them. I hope this is helpful! Species Name: Camponotus maritimus Photos: Camponotus maritmus  Queen I collected in the spring of 2020 Difficulty:  Beginner-intermediate California Distribution:       Found throughout California, I have typically found them in low-elevation foothills and forests.  Species Description:        This species is quite similar in appearance to Camponotus vicinus . However, they typically have stubbier legs and are noticea