Odontoponera transversa prefers fairly intact forests, contrasting with the similar species Odontoponera denticulata, which inhabits disturbed areas with bare ground. In places like Lambir Hills National Park in Borneo, these two species do not coexist; O. transversa is found in primary forests, while O. denticulata is around park headquarters. In other locations like Bogor Botanical Gardens in West Java, their habitat preferences are less distinct but still different.
Odontoponera transversa
Odontoponera transversa typically inhabits wetter and darker places compared to O. denticulata. They are monogynous, with colonies averaging up to 500 workers. The species occupies several distinct nests connected by underground tunnels with many entrances, similar to polydomy in the African Paltothyreus tarsatus.
