Why Do Termites Make Mounds?
WouterTermite mounds are massive structures that are built by termites. These mounds are constructed using a variety of materials, including feces, saliva, water, and mud. They are built by workers in a termite colony and are used to provide internal ventilation.
They are also used as shelters and lookouts by some animals. Several species of termites make their nests of cardboard, timber, or cellulose. Other species use feces or digestive tracts to fortify the structure.
Termite mounds are built by thousands of termite workers. The colony builds the mound depending on its needs. For example, in hot tropical regions, termites build a mud mound to regulate temperature. Other species of termites do not create mounds, but they are responsible for constructing tunnels in the ground.
Termite mounds vary in size, shape, and color. They can be as large as eight feet tall and several feet across. The construction of the mound can take decades.
These termite mounds are also known to be extremely stable. They have been studied by engineers and architects. These mounds are composed of chewed wood, mud, and feces. They have elaborate cooling and ventilation systems. These complex structures are designed to fit with the earth’s natural pattern.
The size, shape, and construction time of a natural mound are governed by simple scaling laws. This is a highly impressive feat of animal architecture. However, scientists are still trying to explain why these mounds are constructed. Some believe that the mound is a hardwired behavior in termites, while others speculate that it is a result of the colony’s sixth sense.
