Can You Keep Bull Ants? An Honest Answer

Nov 3

2 min read

Updated: 1d

Bull ants are fascinating, and many ant keepers dream of having a colony of these large Australian hunters. But can you actually keep bull ants? The honest answer: in practice, it is very difficult and rarely a good idea. We sell bull ants such as Myrmecia nigrocincta and Myrmecia pyriformis from time to time, from legal sources and only for experienced keepers. They are not always in stock. Here is what you should know first.

Myrmecia forficata bull ant — Myrmecia forficata, the inchman ant.

Hard to get outside Australia

Bull ants live almost only in Australia, and the export of live native animals from Australia is tightly regulated. Nature organisations there have even called on the government to stop the export of native ants altogether. As a result, bull ants are rarely offered in Europe, and colonies that do appear for sale may come from unclear sources. If you ever see them offered, ask where they come from and whether they were exported legally.

The sting is a real risk

Bull ants can sting again and again, and their venom is very potent. In Australia, a few percent of people are allergic to jack jumper venom, and stings have caused deaths. You never know in advance whether you, or someone in your household, will react badly. Read more in the bull ant sting and jack jumper ant allergy.

Why they are difficult to keep

A hunting queen: a young queen does not stay sealed in her nest. She has to go out and hunt to feed her first larvae, which makes founding in captivity tricky.
Live prey for the larvae: adults drink sugar, but the larvae need a steady supply of fresh insects.
Sensitive to movement: bull ants hunt by sight and react to every movement around them, which can cause stress and defensive behaviour.
Escape artists: they are large, fast, and some species jump. A setup has to be completely escape proof.
Small, slow colonies: colonies stay relatively small and grow slowly.

Safety first

Keepers in Australia who work with bull ants never use their hands, only long tweezers, and use fully escape-proof setups with secure lids. A bull ant does not belong in a house with children, and anyone with a known allergy to insect stings should never keep them.

Alternatives with the same wow factor

Harpegnathos venator: a large hunting ant from Asia with big eyes that can jump. Read our Harpegnathos venator care guide.
Opisthopsis rufithorax: an Australian ant with big eyes and a funny strobe walk. Read the Opisthopsis rufithorax care guide.
Camponotus singularis: a giant carpenter ant with red-headed majors. Read the Camponotus singularis care guide.