Odontomachus Monticola - Asian Trapjaw - Advanced species
The checklist species- Intermediate When creating our checklists for dream species, trapjaws are typically high up on that list. Lousy at climbing but fantastic at flying they are one of the most intriguing and fascinating species we could keep.
Trapjaw ants are calculated solo hunters, they are precise and aware of their surroundings. You will notice this with how they walk with purpose, jaws open 180 degrees and the "trap" set. Their jaws are locked in place ready while on patrol and with a single brush of their sensory hairs they snap shut at incredible speeds. So incredible in fact that some species jaws close at around 140mph.
With this power however comes both a blessing and a curse, when angled correctly a trapjaw worker can snap their jaws shut with so much force they can propel their entire body up to 6 inches. The blessing is that it can get them out of danger quickly, the curse is for us keepers... a high rock in your outworld and an open top could see Odontomachus in your socks.
Despite being solo hunters they can rally quickly at a sign of trouble to fefent their nest and once latched on to their target they can inject a powerful sting to incapacitate their attackers. This sting comes in handy while hunting too as Monticola will quite happily fight and win anything that can lock in their jaws. It is worth noting that these colonies require large amounts of proteins.
Monticola are ground dwellers and prefer to nest under wood or stone within forests. They use the natural gradient of the soil and can have deep thin nests with the queens chamber at the lowest point.
This species will need feeding while founding and delivers a sting. They can also propel themselves suprising distances and this should be considered when making their home.
Queen
Age -Unknown
Monogyne - 1 queen per colony
Semi Claustral - Needs food while founding
Colony
Size - 600 to 800 workers
Worker - 9mm to 11mm
Queen - 12mm to 13mm
Temperature & Humidity
Nest - 25 to 27 degrees | Outworld 22 to 30 degrees
Nest 60%-70% | Outworld 50% to 80%
Winter Rest
No
Polymorphic (Different size casts)
No
Sting | Bite | Spray
Can clamp skin if caught in the right place
This species does sting
Diet
Insects, Sugars, Carbs
Nest Type
Sand, Earth, Ytong, Plaster, Glass
Odontomachus Monticola - Trapjaw
It is illegal to release this colony into the wild in the UK, if you can no longer care for your colony please contact us immediately.
In place of a physical caresheet, this species will have a digital care sheet found by a link sent to you by email. You can view, print or save the sheet to refer too whenever you like.
