Some kind of harvester ant would be my recommend. good first time ant species in terms of ease of care and common availability anywhere USA. I'm sure enjoying pogonomyrmex occidentalis. But if i were in Tx. I'd want to keep Pogonomyrmex Barbatus. Kind of the same, but larger.
I would avoid any of the fungus farmer ants(leaf cutters), those are hard to keep as you are keeping an environment for both the fungus and the ants. And the fungus is generally very sensitive/easy to kill off, making those a high challenge rating ant to try and keep.
Additionally i'd look for an ant that did not require diapause (hibernation). Just simpler to not need to provide environment for them that's a constant cold refrigerator temp. Mostly undisturbed, but check on them for water once in a while.
My pogonomyrmex will, but they do that in response to harsh times, rather than as a built in clockwork the way most Campanotes (carpenter ants) seem to. Some colonies can sleep half the year or more, leaving you with chores to keep them but nothing to enjoy for long stretches.
My pogonomyrmex remain out and active year round to observe/enjoy.
Edited by Full_Frontal_Yeti, September 13 2024 - 3:53 PM.