The 4,000-Year-Old Insect-Created Structure That Can Be Seen From Space

You’ve likely heard the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child”, but how many termites does it take to build a termite mound? These insects are more than simple pests plaguing homeowners; they are tiny architects constantly crafting something far larger than themselves.

How can it be that something so small creates such a huge impact? What makes termite mounds some of the most interesting and adaptable structures in the animal kingdom, and what can we as humans glean from learning about them?

This is why termites and termite mounds are fascinating, sustainable, and oh-so special.

Termite Mounds: Everything You Need to Know

Out of thousands of species of termites, only the ones residing in Africa, Australia, Asia, and South America build mounds, or above-ground structures made from mud, soil, and termite saliva. These mounds become large structures capable of housing anywhere between 50,000 to millions upon millions of termites.

Termite mounds can reach impressive sizes, both in height and width; some measure over 10 feet tall and more than 50 feet wide. Different termite species craft differently shaped mounds, though the correlation between mound shape and species requires further study. One thing’s for sure: termites somehow manage to build their intricate homes with climate, predators, and local conditions in mind.

Not only are termite mounds the protective home of termite colonies, but they are also engineering marvels worth studying, especially considering the age of termite mounds.

How the Mound Gets Made

Every mound-building termite species creates its home using excrement, mud from deep underground, and their own saliva. Thousands upon thousands of blind and wingless worker termites unearth their building materials and stack them high, forming a skyscraper-like structure above their underground nest. Complicated tunnels and routes are carved in the mound for termites to traverse, affording these insects safety and space as the colony grows.

Depending on the colony size, it can take termites anywhere from five to 10 years to complete their nests. Once built, some termite mounds last centuries. A collection large enough to be considered the “most extensive bioengineering effort by a single insect species” originated in Brazil nearly 4,000 years ago.

Termite mounds vary depending on countless factors, with many scientists suggesting there is no solitary reason why the mounds end up looking the way they do. However, every termite colony takes these factors into account before breaking ground.

Building Around the Elements: Thermoregulated Termite Mounds

The movement of the sun is integral to termite mound architecture. These insects live in some of the most inhospitable and hot places on earth. Termites instinctively know to build their mounds oriented toward the sun. Different colonies cultivate different angles of their structures depending on the sun’s zenith in their location. Orienting the mound correctly and incorporating a vent help achieve comfortable temperatures deep underground where the colony lives.

Precipitation and wind are also key factors termites seem instinctively attuned to. Windier locations hosting termite colonies appear to result in more compact, less intricately-pathed mounds. This shape allows for fewer drafts and more warmth to remain in the core of the colony. Likewise, more porous mounds are crafted with fewer tunnels in case of collapse due to rain.

It is remarkable to consider how these seemingly aimless insects build such large, environmentally-aware homes. In desert landscapes where adaptability is key to survival, termites have figured out ways for their colonies to thrive for years to come.

But do termite mounds affect these desert environs? Is there even more to these structures than meets the eye?

Sustainable Soil and How Termites Save Deserts

Many studies suggest termite mounds are regenerating desert soil and promoting plant growth in these environments. Part of this is due to the termite’s ability to terraform, stirring up nutrient-rich soil from deep underground. The other aspect assisting with soil enrichment around termite mounds is the simple existence of termites. The excrement, eating habits, and activity of these creatures help increase healthy bacteria and microbial populations.

While termites often build their mounds in barren, sparse desert landscapes, their presence does not indicate infertile environments — in fact, far from it. Studies suggest termite mounds actually indicate healthier, more adaptable desert ecosystems because of their ability to promote plant growth and attract other animal species.

While termite mounds typically exist in arid climates, these architectural marvels can inform us about sustainable, worldwide building practices. Here’s how.

How Humans Can Learn From Termite Mounds

Compared to the average termite, human beings have it pretty easy. Building a home for the average family typically doesn’t take longer than 5 years, nor do we often need to consider harsh climate conditions. But, as the planet warms and weather patterns shift, how can we learn from termite mounds and alter our building methods?

Building homes out of literal dirt underground is one obvious solution, though most places and people won’t tolerate such a structure. Still, termite mounds and human homes could be more similar if we more readily consider how we position our buildings according to the sun’s path. Utilizing materials that promote self-regulating temperatures and the circulation of air would also be beneficial.

Termite mound soil bacteria has been posited as a possible solution for agricultural chemical usage and pesticides. By studying the soil and plant growth around termite mounds, researchers suggest the positive effects of this symbiotic ecosystem. Implementing similar sustainable methods in commercial agriculture may increase yields and ensure no further harm comes to the surrounding environment.

Regardless of their reputation, termites can teach us a great deal. These tiny architects are capable of banding together to build something ingenious and beneficial for their entire colony, something we as humans should recognize and appreciate!