Scout V2

Same Scout footprint and tube slot, with a hidden queen pocket and a second AA-01 port.

Size: About 2⅞ × 1¾ × ⅞ in, same as Scout V1
Ports: 2 × AA-01 at Scout height; end and back side
Water: Included 16 mm glass or plastic test tube; glass-safe seat and ramp

Scout V2 at three-quarter view, showing its end port and side port

Scout V2 is a one-piece PETG founding nest, about 2⅞ × 1¾ × ⅞ in: the same footprint and Click Stop lid as Scout V1, with more connection choices.

The included 16 mm test tube rests flat on the table in a glass-safe seat. Light guide ribs center it against a flat stop without squeezing it. A ramp brings ants up from the tube floor into the Spring, a drinking foyer at the tube mouth.

The Queen Pocket opens onto the Spring beneath a private roof, keeping the queen near water. You can look into it through the lid at an angle. Two connected chambers lead to the end and back-side port foyers.

Two AA-01 ports at Scout height let one colony link to an outworld and a second nest at the same time, or chain several Scouts. A Link into Trailhead's low port needs no Riser. For standard-height nest or Frontier ports, add a Scout Riser; the side port clears its supports.

The lid slides out over the tube end and clicks closed. Scout Cover V2 is notched for the side port; the V1 Cover is not the V2 fit. Cover V2's separate price and final accessory inclusion are being confirmed.

A hidden Queen Pocket off the Spring

The V2 keeps the Scout footprint and rearranges the rooms around the water.

Scout V2 from above: the Spring, the roofed Queen Pocket and two chambers to the port foyers — Scout V2 from above: the Spring, the Queen Pocket and the two chambers.

Tube endPorts

The SpringA drinking foyer at the tube mouth, with a ramp up from the tube floor.
Queen PocketA roofed private chamber with its door onto the Spring. Darker and more enclosed, so the queen settles near water. You can still see in through the lid at an angle.
Two chambersThey connect the Spring to both port foyers.
Two port foyersOne at the end port, one at the side port near that end.

Same habits, one more door

It sets up exactly like a V1. The extra port is there when you need it.

Step 1: Tube in, straight to the Spring
The included 16 mm test tube pushes into the glass-safe seat. A ramp leads up from the tube floor into the Spring, a drinking foyer right at the tube mouth.
Step 2: Lid on, Cover V2 over it
The same Click Stop lid as V1, sliding out over the tube end. Scout Cover V2 is notched for the side port, so it sits flat with a Link in place.
Step 3: Link out, twice
Two AA-01 ports, besides the tube slot, let one V2 Link to an outworld and a second nest at the same time, or chain several Scouts together. Close the one you aren't using.

Two low Link ports, 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 V2 side view, showing its low ports — Scout V2 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. The side port clears the Riser's supports.
$4.00 with a Founder ~~$10.00~~
Not linking yet?
Close the AA-01 port with a Port Plug. The Scout Tube Plug is different: it closes the tube end when no tube is in.

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
Compare	Scout V1$24.00	Scout V2This page$27.00
Layout	Classic: queen chamber beside the water, two chambers, a foyer at the port	Spring at the tube mouth, roofed Queen Pocket, two chambers to two foyers
Tube slot	16 mm, on one end	16 mm, on one end
AA-01 Link ports	1, on the end opposite the tube slot	2, one on the end and one on the back side
Queen chamber	Open, beside the water	Roofed hidden pocket off the drinking Spring
Water	16 mm test tube, included	16 mm test tube, included
Lid	Click Stop, slides out over the tube end	Click Stop, slides out over the tube end
Cover	Scout Cover, included	Notched Scout Cover V2; price and box inclusion to be confirmed
Scout Riser	Yes	Yes, the side port clears the supports
Footprint	About 3 × 1¾ in	Same 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

Tick what you need. Prices update as you go, and add-on prices apply automatically.

Scout V2The nest, with its 16 mm test tube.$27.00
Scout RiserFor later: lifts the Scout to standard port height, so it Links to a Founder or Frontier. A Trailhead's low port doesn't need one. Add it with a Founder for $4.00 instead of $10.00 now.$10.00
Link (3-pack)One 3-pack. Use one Link per connection to Trailhead or a raised Scout's next nest.$3.00~~$7.00~~
Scout Cover V2Keeps the nest dark. Notched for the V2 side port.Coming Soon
Catch CapFor catching a queen: a funnel cap for the port. Swap back to a plug once she's in.$3.00~~$8.00~~
16 mm Test Tube & CottonA spare 16 mm tube and cotton for when the first one runs low. One already comes with the Scout.$2.00~~$6.00~~
2 × Port Plug (3-pack)Two 3-packs: enough for a Scout + Trailhead's unused ports, with spares.$4.00~~$6.00~~per pack

Your setup · 1 item

$27.00

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

Kit

Scout Basecamp

[PRICE TBD]

Kit contents under review

Scout Basecamp is being revised around Scout V1 and Scout V2.

See Scout Basecamp

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. Additional included plugs, cotton and Cover V2 are being confirmed.

00Scout V2 nest× 1
Click Stop acrylic lid× 1
16 mm test tube× 1

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 V2 + Trailhead

Best pairing

Connect the Queen Pocket Scout to a small feeding hub.

Pieces to add

Scout V2
00× 1
$27.00
Trailhead
× 1
$28.00
Link
× 1
$3.00$7.00
Port Plug
× 2
$4.00$6.00

No Riser is needed. Five ports remain unused across this setup; two 3-packs provide enough closures.
Scout V2 already includes a water tube. Cover V2 and final included plugs are being confirmed.

Setup total: $66.00

Cannot add setup yet: Scout V2: Pre-orders open November 24 for the December 1 launch.

Fits its ports

These parts fit this product's AA-01 ports.

Specifications

Size: About 2⅞ × 1¾ × ⅞ in, same as Scout V1
Body: One-piece PETG, printed in the USA
Water: Included 16 mm glass or plastic test tube; glass-safe seat and ramp
Chambers: Spring, roofed Queen Pocket, two connected chambers and two port foyers
Ports: 2 × AA-01 at Scout height; end and back side
Lid: Click Stop slide-in acrylic, exits over the tube end
Cover / Riser: Notched Scout Cover V2; existing Scout Riser fits

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