Cast #042 - Aluminum Carpenter Ant Colony Casting

The front of an aluminum carpenter ant nest cast display. This one runs deep!
Ant Type: Carpenter Ants (Camponotus castaneus)

Cast Number: #042
Created: 10/12/2013
Cast Weight: 3.5 lb

Cast Material: Aluminum
Cast Dimensions: 31"x11"x18" (HxWxL)

Base: Stained Wood Circle
Base Dimensions: 0.75"x8"x8" (HxWxL)


Mount: Bolt through base and cast
Orientation: Upside Down
Description
This is by far the deepest carpenter ant colony that I have cast. It measures about 31" from the ground surface. Even though it's extremely deep most of the chambers are concentrated at the bottom 7" of the cast, with one lone chamber about 16" down the main tunnel, then a long tunnel extending 17" further. Most of the carpenter ant colonies that I have cast have long, thin, fairly uniform chambers. This cast has extremely irregular shaped chambers which twist and turn in every direction and vary greatly in width. This loop structure is another unique feature of this cast. Check out the video to see the making of this cast.
Base Description
The cast is displayed on a wooden base upside down from its natural orientation. The base was purchased at a hobby store and stained with Watco Danish Oil Dark Walnut with no clear coat, giving it a nice natural look to the finish. The cast is secured to the base with a bolt. The bottom of the base has eight felt pads to protect the surface it is displayed on. A stainless steel plaque is mounted on the base containing information on the cast.