Description

This is a small, drought-tolerant ant species. It is monogynous (single-queen) and claustral, native to Southwestern Europe and Northwestern Africa. In the wild, they nest in sandy areas of the soil. They can tolerate very high temperatures, but it is not necessarily required to heat them specifically. Due to their small size, it is recommended to keep them in formicarium with good escape prevention and to ensure they do not get stuck in honey, other liquids, or water. Both the queen and the workers are black, similar to Tetramorium species at first glance but are less aggressive. Their colonies consist of only a few hundred to a few thousand workers. They  forage at ground level mostly. Their care is recommended for more experienced keepers, attention must be paid to the small-sized workers and the species’ specific needs.

Feeding: They can be fed honey or sugar, as well as insects. Occasionally, small amounts of oily seeds and other nuts (e.g., walnuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, etc.) can be provided to provide all the necessary nutrients for them.

Reproduction: They develop dynamically in warm conditions. A mature colony contains a few hundred to a few thousand workers.

Hibernation: They require hibernation from November to March at 12-15°C.
More information about hibernation can be found in this video.