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Pre-orders open November 24 · Launch December 1. Launch orders: expected postal delivery December 1–5.

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Scout V1

The classic first nest. Small, simple, and tested.

Size
About 2⅞ × 1¾ × ⅞ in
Ports
1 × AA-01 at Scout height
Water
Included 16 mm test tube; glass-safe seat with a ramp
Scout V1 at three-quarter view, lid on, with its 16 mm test tube in

Scout V1 is a small, one-piece PETG nest, about 2⅞ × 1¾ × ⅞ in, for a founding queen and her first workers. Its included 16 mm test tube lies flat on the table. Light guide ribs center glass or plastic tubes against a flat stop without squeezing them; a ramp leads ants up from the tube floor.

The layout starts with a queen chamber beside the water, followed by two connected chambers and a foyer at the AA-01 port. The clear Click Stop lid slides out over the tube end, away from the linked port. Lift its edge at the fingernail notch, slide it open a little to feed, and slide it back until it clicks.

Scout V1 keeps the simplest layout in the line. Scout V2 has the same footprint and tube slot, with a roofed Queen Pocket and a second AA-01 port. Use the Scout Cover, which fits both, when you want the lid dark.

Link Scout V1 straight into Trailhead's low port on the table, or add a Scout Riser and Link to meet a Founder's ports. Connections, catching accessories and the Riser are chosen separately; the water tube is already included.

Inside the V1

The classic layout: water at one end, the port at the other, and the queen right beside the water.

Scout V1 from above through the lid: queen chamber by the water, two chambers, foyer at the port
Scout V1 from above, through the lid.

Water endPort end

  1. Queen chamberOpen and right beside the tube, so she settles near water.
  2. Two connected chambersRoom for her first workers and brood.
  3. Foyer at the portThe entry hall at the AA-01 port, opposite the tube.

Who it's for: founding queens and first-time keepers who want the simplest setup.

Tube in. Lid on. Link out.

Three steps from a founding queen to a connected colony.

  1. Scout V1 at three-quarter view, lid on, with its 16 mm test tube in

    Step 1: Tube in

    A 16 mm test tube comes in the box. Push it into the glass-safe seat on the round end until it meets the flat stop. Guide ribs center it without squeezing, and a ramp leads ants up from the tube floor. Already have a colony in a 16 mm tube? It pushes in the same way.

    The tube lies flat on the table and stays on as the Scout's water, right beside the queen chamber.

  2. Close-up of an acrylic lid clicking over its Click Stop bump

    Step 2: Lid on, click

    The acrylic lid slides out over the tube end, which is never linked. To feed, lift its edge at the fingernail notch, slide it back a little, then slide it home until it clicks.

    A Scout Cover comes in the box. It sits over the lid to keep the nest dark.

  3. Scout V1 on a Scout Riser, Linked at standard port height

    Step 3: Link out

    When the colony grows, Link the port to an outworld or a bigger nest. Use a Riser to meet standard-height ports, or Link straight into a Trailhead's low port.

One low Link port, two ways up

Besides the 16 mm tube slot, a Scout has AA-01 Link ports. They sit low, close to the table. Everything bigger connects higher, at the standard link height.

Scout V1 side view, showing its low port
Scout V1 side view.

  • Straight into a Trailhead

    The Trailhead has a low port at Scout height. Leave the Scout on the table and Link it in. No Riser.

  • Up on a Scout Riser

    The Scout Riser lifts the Scout to standard height, so it Links straight to a Founder, Frontier or Homestead.

    $4.00 with a Founder $10.00

  • Not linking yet?

    Nothing to buy: the box includes a Port Plug and a Vent Plug for the AA-01 port, and a Tube Plug for the tube end. Spares: Port Plug, Vent Plug, Scout Tube Plug.

Scout V1 or Scout V2?

Same footprint, same lid, same included tube. The difference is inside, and in the ports.

Scout V1 and Scout V2 side by side from above
Same footprint, different rooms. V1 keeps it classic; V2 adds a hidden queen pocket and a second AA-01 port.
Scout V1 compared with Scout V2
CompareScout V1This page$24.00Scout V2$28.00
LayoutClassic: queen chamber beside the water, two chambers, a foyer at the portSpring at the tube mouth, roofed Queen Pocket, two chambers to two foyers
Tube slot16 mm, on one end16 mm, on one end
AA-01 Link ports1, on the end opposite the tube slot2, one on the end and one on the back side
Queen chamberOpen, beside the waterRoofed hidden pocket off the drinking Spring
Water16 mm test tube, included16 mm test tube, included
LidClick Stop, slides out over the tube endClick Stop, slides out over the tube end
CoverScout Cover, includedSame Scout Cover, notched for the side port; price and box inclusion to be confirmed
Scout RiserYesYes, the side port clears the supports
FootprintAbout 3 × 1¾ inSame as V1

Not sure? V1 is the simplest start for one founding queen. Pick V2 if you want a darker spot for her, or plan to Link a Scout to two things at once.

How it fits the system

The same parts and habits carry through every American Ant piece.

  • One port, every modelEvery port is the same AA-01 socket, so one Link joins any two models.
  • Click Stop lidsLift at the notch, slide to feed, slide back until it clicks.
  • Glass-safe 16 mm tube seatStandard 16 mm tubes push against a flat stop. Ribs center, never squeeze.
  • Printed in the USAOne-piece PETG bodies. No glue.

Build your setup

Your Scout box already includes its lid, test tube, plugs and Cover. Tick only what you want to add. Prices update as you go, and add-on prices apply automatically.

  • Scout V1Included: the nest, Click Stop lid, 16 mm test tube, Port Plug, Vent Plug, Tube Plug and Scout Cover.$24.00
  • $10.00
  • $3.00$7.00
  • $4.00$10.00
  • $3.00$8.00
  • $2.00$6.00
  • $4.00$6.00

Your setup · 1 item

$24.00

Pre-orders open November 24 for the December 1 launch.

Kit

Scout Basecamp

$75.00

A black Scout V2 for the queen, a white Scout V1 as the open porch and an orange Trailhead, with Links and plugs.

See Scout Basecamp
Scout Basecamp at three-quarter view: the black Scout V2 with its 16 mm tube, the white Scout V1 and the orange Trailhead

When the Scout fills up

You don't move the colony. You connect the next room and let the ants walk over.

  • Trailhead

    $28.00

    The easiest next step: the Scout stays on the table and Links into the low port. Use the Trailhead as a feeding area, then connect a bigger nest from its high ports.

    The hub. A Scout walks in at table height and links out to everything.

    See the Trailhead

  • 01Founder

    $42.00

    The first full nest, with built-in humidity. Set the Scout on a Riser and Link it to the Founder.

    One piece with built-in water. Fill it, plug it, done.

    See the Founder

What's in the box?

Everything that ships with this item.

How it connects

AA-01 ports join with a Link. Best matches first; check what you'll also need.

Ways to build

Real connection plans with the pieces to add together. Kits count as one priced item.

Scout V1 + Trailhead

Best pairing

A small feeding arena linked directly to Scout at table height.

00Scout V1Cover onLinkTrailheadLow port

Pieces to add

  • No Riser needed at Trailhead's low port.
  • Links are a 3-pack; Port Plugs are 3-packs. This list supplies enough closures for all four unused Trailhead ports, with spares.
  • Final Trailhead accessory inclusion is under review; connections and closures are chosen separately.

Setup total: $63.00

Cannot add setup yet: Scout V1: Pre-orders open November 24 for the December 1 launch.

Scout → Trailhead → Founder

Best pairing

Give one colony a founding space, feeding hub and its next nest.

00Scout V1LinkTrailheadLink01Founder

Pieces to add

  • Scout meets the low port; Founder meets a standard-height port. No Riser or adapter.
  • Use two of the three Links in the pack. Five unused ports need closing; two 3-packs provide enough Port Plugs.
  • Keep separate drinking water available. Founder's reservoir supplies humidity only.

Setup total: $105.00

Cannot add setup yet: Scout V1: Pre-orders open November 24 for the December 1 launch.

Catch and watch

Catch a queen at the Scout's port, then watch her colony begin.

Catch CapDirect00Scout V1Cover on

Pieces to add

  • Scout V1 includes its 16 mm water tube and Cover. Prepare the tube with cotton before catching; swap the Catch Cap for its included Port Plug afterward.
  • A Catch Kit or separate tube is optional spare equipment, not required for another tube.

Setup total: $27.00

Cannot add setup yet: Scout V1: Pre-orders open November 24 for the December 1 launch.

Scout to Founder

Raise the Scout to Founder port height and let the colony move across.

Riser00Scout V1Link01Founder

Pieces to add

  • The Scout Riser is $4 when bought with the Founder. Choose Links and unused-port closures separately.
  • Keep Scout's tube connected as drinking water while the nest reservoir supplies humidity.

Setup total: $77.00

Cannot add setup yet: Scout V1: Pre-orders open November 24 for the December 1 launch.

Fits its ports

Specifications

Size
About 2⅞ × 1¾ × ⅞ in
Body
One-piece PETG, printed in the USA; no glue
Colour
White
Chambers
Queen chamber, two connected chambers and a port foyer
Water
Included 16 mm test tube; glass-safe seat with a ramp
Lid
Click Stop slide-in clear acrylic, exits over the tube end
Ports
1 × AA-01 at Scout height

Related guides

Upgrade path

ColonyLog · Free ant colony tracker

A nest for your ants. A record for their progress.

Keep feedings, eggs, first workers and photos together in ColonyLog. Scan an American Ant nest's QR label or enter its code to register it, then connect the nest with the colony living inside.

See how ColonyLog works
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