Answers to the questions teachers, families, and buyers ask most. For an order question, email ; for a quote, start on the wholesale page.
Colony and live-ant questions
Do CurioDen kits come with live ants?
No. Every kit ships without live ants. You receive the habitat, the observation tools, the refill or spare-part set that matches the SKU, and written guidance for sourcing a colony. No CurioDen order contains live insects.
Where do I get ants for my kit?
Three options, in order of reliability: an in-state supplier, local collection with a permit where your state requires one, or a live-ant voucher if the SKU includes one. The live-ant shipping policy lists what to verify state by state.
Can live ants be shipped to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or Canada?
No. Live ants cannot be shipped to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, or APO, FPO, and DPO addresses. That is the industry standard and our own policy. Kits and accessories ship to those destinations; live insects do not.
Do I need a queen ant for a classroom unit?
No. Workers alone tunnel, forage, and show the behavior students are asked to observe, and a unit runs fine without a queen for two to four weeks. A queen is only needed if the goal is a colony that reproduces over months.
How long do ants live in a habitat?
Expect roughly two to four weeks of visible tunneling in a gel kit before the gel is spent, and longer in a sand nest with regular watering. Temperature and humidity matter more than the container, and a classroom colony is not a permanent pet.
What do ants eat in an ant farm?
Gel kits include a gel that supplies both moisture and nutrients, so nothing else is required. Sand nests need water every few days plus small amounts of sugar water, honey, or a crushed insect. Never feed human food scraps or leave standing water.
Classroom and age questions
What ages are CurioDen kits suitable for?
Ages 6+ with adult supervision. Every box carries a small-parts warning: choking hazard, not for children under 3 years. Grades 2 through 6 are the most common users, and the lesson sequence scales up for middle school with more written analysis.
How many students can share one kit?
Two to four students per station works well for daily observation. For a class of 24 to 30, a 6-station set puts every group at its own habitat; a 12-station set allows one station per pair or a shared set across two classrooms.
Is a teacher guide or lesson plan included?
Classroom sets include a printed teacher guide and observation journals. For single kits, the guide is a digital download that can be reprinted for each section. Most classroom units run three weeks with a 6-station set.
Ordering, bulk, and payment
What is the minimum order for wholesale?
100 units per SKU, or 50 units for styles we hold in stock. First orders may mix SKUs to reach the total, and private-label runs start at 500 units per SKU. Full terms are on the wholesale page.
How do I get a quote for a school district?
Email with SKUs, quantities, grade levels, ship-to address, and your delivery window. We reply within one business day with unit pricing, freight options, lead time, and a quote valid for 30 days.
Do you accept purchase orders?
Yes. We accept school and district purchase orders and invoice against the PO number. Net 30 terms are available to approved accounts after a first paid order. A quote can be issued before a PO exists, which is usually what purchasing offices need.
What documents can you send to procurement?
Compliance documentation available on request, including CPC and ASTM F963 test reports, a Prop 65 materials determination, spec and case-pack sheets, UPC data, tracking-label details, and a product liability certificate for approved accounts. Ask at .
Are the kits compliant with U.S. toy safety rules?
Our kits are designed to meet U.S. toy safety requirements under ASTM F963 and CPSIA, and compliance documentation, including CPC and ASTM F963 test reports, is available on request. We do not describe a product as certified unless a valid certificate exists for that SKU.
Shipping and returns
How long does shipping take?
In-stock orders are processed in one to three business days. Contiguous U.S. transit is typically two to six business days; Alaska and Hawaii three to seven; Canada five to ten plus customs clearance. See shipping and delivery for zones and freight.
Do you ship to Canada?
Yes, kits and accessories ship to Canada. Live ants do not. Canadian orders are quoted either delivered with duties and taxes handled, or as a DDU shipment where the importer pays on arrival, and we confirm the Incoterm in writing before dispatch.
What is your return policy?
Unused and unopened items can be returned within 30 days of delivery. Opened gel packs, used habitats, digital guides, and custom or private-label orders are excluded. Damaged or wrong items are replaced or refunded at no cost. Details are on the returns and refunds page.
Do you sell replacement parts?
Yes. Lids, magnifiers, tweezers, sand, and gel refill packs are sold separately so a kit is not retired for one missing piece. Send the SKU on the bottom of the box to .