Sand Nest Ant Habitat — Large: Display Acrylic Formicarium Kit

描述

The Sand Nest Ant Habitat — Large is the display unit of the line: the same open-sand approach as the Medium with a deeper column and a taller window, so the nest reads as a full cross-section instead of a strip. At 69.99 USD it is a considered purchase for a demonstration bench or a gift-shop window.

What the extra size buys is depth of behaviour. A tall column lets a colony separate levels: entrance zone near the surface, a brood level, deeper storage, and a refuse area that stays visibly apart. It also asks more of its owner: 2.4 kg empty, a permanent position and a real moisture routine.

What’s in the box

• 1 × large sand nest frame, ABS, full-height acrylic window
• 2 × bags of washed, pre-sifted fine sand
• 1 × vented lid with access port and spare plugs
• 1 × long tunnelling rod and levelling scraper
• 1 × 6-page journal with two-level labelling page and sourcing guide

How it works: what you will actually see

Week 1 — load, dampen, settle

An adult loads both sand bags, levels the column and dampens it evenly before ants go in. A rod hole near one wall gives a clean vertical shaft and a reference line for later measurements. Keep the lid closed while the colony settles.

Weeks 2–4 — levels and chambers

The deeper column is where the Large pays off: galleries appear at more than one depth and traffic between levels becomes countable. If the sand pulls away from the acrylic, add water at the edge and let it wick.

Weeks 4–8 — a long-running display

By week four the Large is a stable, presentable cutaway that stays interesting past eight weeks with regular moisture: chambers get repurposed and refuse handling becomes its own study. Clean out via the removeable panel and re-load.

Classroom and homeschool use

The Large is a demonstration and exhibition unit, not a per-student kit. Put it at the front of the room, aim a document camera at the window, and a full class sees the same nest section. It supports the science and engineering practices described in the Next Generation Science Standards — developing and using models, analysing data, constructing explanations — rather than a specific identifier.

For a science centre it works as a staffed touchpoint with a callout sheet, and it is sellable without live stock on hand. Position it permanently, keep it away from radiators and sun, and give weekly moisture checks to one person.

Specifications

Body material	ABS shell, acrylic observation window, no glass
Packaging	1 unit per printed color box, retail-ready
MOQ	100 pcs per SKU; 50 pcs stock colorways
Lead time	15–25 days stock; 25–35 days bulk
Compliance	CPC and ASTM F963 test reports available on request
Ages	6+ with adult supervision
Assembled dimensions	33 × 23 × 30 cm (13.0 × 9.1 × 11.8 in)
Net weight	2.4 kg (5.3 lb) empty
Carton quantity	6 pcs / carton
Substrate	Washed fine sand, pre-sifted, two bags; keep damp
Colony	Not included — sourcing guide in the box

Dimensions and weights are nominal; contact us for current lead time and a pre-production sample.

Shipping, live ants and compliance

Ships without live ants. Live ants are not included and we do not ship live ants. Each box includes a sourcing guide for U.S. customers on collection, species and safe transfer, with a voucher upgrade offered at checkout.

Live ants cannot be shipped to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, or APO/FPO/DPO addresses, and live shipments may be held below 50 °F or above 90 °F. This kit holds no live animals, so it ships year-round to all 50 states and to Canada.

Ages 6+ with adult supervision. WARNING: Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Adult help is needed for setup and for any ant transfer; keep the unit level and out of direct sun.

Institutional buyers: CPC and ASTM F963 test reports available on request, plus a compliance sheet with country of origin and current California Proposition 65 status.

Wholesale, bulk and OEM

CurioDen sells B2B-first: classroom ant farm programs for districts and teachers, and wholesale ant farm kits for education distributors, museum gift shops and toy wholesalers. Bulk STEM kits start at MOQ 100 pcs per SKU, with 50 pcs on stock colorways.

Lead time is 15–25 days for stock, 25–35 days for bulk or private label / OEM with custom box print. Contact us for the price list and a landed-cost quote.

FAQ

Why is the Large 69.99 USD when the Medium is 49.99 USD?

Depth and material volume: taller window, deeper frame, two sand bags instead of one, a longer rod and a two-level labelling page. It is the sample we send to distributors.

Does the habitat come with live ants?

No. Ships without live ants; live ants are not included and we do not ship live animals. A U.S. sourcing guide is included and a voucher upgrade is offered at checkout.

Is this suitable for a museum gift shop?

Yes. It ships dry in one printed color box, case pack 6, MOQ 100 pcs with 50 pcs on stock colorways, and private label is available.

What maintenance does the sand need?

Keep it damp and keep it level. Add a little water at the sand edge every one to two weeks and stop when the surface darkens. Do not move a loaded unit.