What Is a Termite Mound?
A termite mound is a structure built by subterranean termites. Some of the most famous examples of termite mounds can be found in Africa, where they may tower 30 feet (nine meters) high over the landscape, contributing to the ecology of the area in addition to providing a home for termites. Less ambitious termite construction projects can be found all over the world, from rainforests to back yards. Termite mounds are fascinating from an engineering perspective, as they involve immense cooperation and ingenuity to build. Not all termites are mound building. Those that do construct mounds make them in all shapes and sizes, ranging from small, soft mounds near the entrance to the nest to huge, ornate structures sometimes referred to as cathedral mounds. The mound is built with the use of soil and saliva from the termites, and the insects construct a complex network of corridors, rooms, and vents within the mound which facilitates social behavior.
