Cataglyphis velox

Introduction

Cataglyphis velox is the "Formula 1" of the ant world. Native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Southern Spain and North Africa, these ants are legendary for their incredible speed and their ability to forage in temperatures that would be lethal to almost any other insect. While most ants seek shade during the peak of the day, Cataglyphis velox emerges into the scorching sun, using its long legs to lift its body away from the hot sand and moving at speeds that make them look like a blur to the human eye.

Keeping Cataglyphis velox is a rewarding challenge for the experienced hobbyist. They are visually oriented, highly intelligent foragers that require significant space and high levels of heat. They do not follow pheromone trails in the traditional sense; instead, they use path integration and visual landmarks, making their foraging behavior some of the most complex and fascinating to observe in captivity.

Taxonomy & Classification

• Family: Formicidae
• Subfamily: Formicinae
• Genus: Cataglyphis
• Species: Cataglyphis velox (Santschi, 1929)

The Cataglyphis genus is often referred to as "Desert Ants." C. velox is part of the altisquamis group. They are specialized thermophiles, meaning they are biologically adapted to thrive in high-heat environments. Their navigation systems have been the subject of intense scientific study, as they can navigate back to their tiny nest entrance across featureless plains with mathematical precision.

Appearance & Morphology

Cataglyphis velox is a medium-to-large species with a striking, athletic build. Workers are typically 6-12mm in length, while queens are around 12-14mm. They have very long legs and large, well-developed eyes, which are essential for their visual navigation.

Their coloration is typically a mixture of dark brown and black, often with a slight metallic or silky sheen on the gaster. Their posture is unique: they often run with their gaster tilted upwards. This behavior is thought to help with balance and heat dissipation. Their mandibles are powerful, used for carrying scavenged insects and defending the colony.

Natural Habitat & Distribution

In the wild, Cataglyphis velox inhabits the hot, dry plains and coastal dunes of the Mediterranean. They prefer open areas with sparse vegetation where the sun can strike the ground directly. Their nests are often simple, vertical shafts that go deep into the soil to reach cooler, more humid layers where the queen and brood reside during the heat of the day. They are solitary foragers, meaning you won't see long lines of them; instead, you see individual workers scouting huge areas with incredible efficiency.

Colony Structure & Life Cycle

These colonies are monogynous and relatively small compared to other ants, usually peaking at a few hundred to a thousand workers. Growth is moderate. The queen is semi-claustral or claustrally founding depending on environmental factors, but in captivity, she is best treated as claustrally founding. Because they are adapted to a harsh environment, the workers are quite long-lived and very robust once they reach adulthood.

Dietary Requirements

Cataglyphis velox are primarily scavengers. They specialize in finding insects that have died from heat stress in the desert sun.

• Proteins: They require a lot of protein to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. Fruit flies, crickets, and small roaches are excellent. They are very responsive to fresh, juicy insects.
• Sugars: Nectar and honey-water are essential for the workers' energy. They should be fed sugars frequently, as their high metabolism burns through energy quickly.
• Hydration: While they are desert ants, they still need to drink. A constant water source in the outworld is mandatory.

Housing Conditions: Temperature & Humidity

Temperature management is the most critical aspect of keeping Cataglyphis velox. Without a hot outworld, they will become lethargic and the colony will eventually fail.

We recommend using a powerful heat lamp over the outworld to create a "hot spot" of 40°C+. The ants will "bask" in this heat before going on foraging runs.