- Termites are great architects. A termite mounds a great example of insect architecture.
- Termites mounds can be of 6 feet in height and is strong and long lasting.
- They eat fungus that grows on mounds.
- Their mounds are extremely stable. These mounds can sometimes survive for hundreds or thousands of years.
- Termites construct their mounds using soil , water and their saliva.
- They are attracted to woods and construct their colonies near source of food e.g wood, dead trees.
- Termites eat anything that contains cellulose for e.g wood, paper, books, furniture etc.
- Termites shed their wings during mating. They grow wings to fly and start new colonies. These flying termites are called ‘swarmers’.
- Termites are social animals and live in colonies.
- Termites are good for soil, they break down dead plants and wood they are called decomposers.
- They eat each others poop in order to get gut bacteria that can help in their digestion. They digest cellulose with the help of that microorganism.
- They help in raising the young ones.
- Some of the worker and soldier termites are born blind only flying termites have eyesight to find a mate or new colony.
- Termite queens are bigger in size than worker termites and can live for even decades.
