[2] It is classified within the carpenter ant genus, a large group of more than 1,000 known species, many of which are associated with forested habitats in America and elsewhere.

However C. detritus inhabits the hot dry dunes of the hyper-arid central Namib Desert in Southern Africa.

The nests of this species, located amongst perennial plant roots, are systems of tunnels and chambers between 100–400 millimetres (3.9–15.7 in) deep.

[3] C. detritus is a diurnal species which uses its long legs to move at 5 mm above the surface, thus avoiding the highest temperatures which at noon in midsummer can reach 60 °C (140 °F).

[4] detritus inhabits the hot dry dunes of the hyper-arid central Namib Desert in Southern Africa.