Facts About African Termites

Facts About African Termites

Africa is the second largest continent of the world. It mainly consists of vast grassy plains with a climate that is generally hot & humid all throughout the year. This continent has been perceived as one with infertile soil and polluted soil. It has also become popular with the exotic diseases that have been reported there.

With such geographical characteristics, it is worthy to mention that the continent is a haven of around 400 species of African termites. These African termites create mounds as their form of shelter. These termite mounds vary in size as different types of termites pile such differently. The soil on that specific area also plays a role on the size a particular type of termite may be able to form. There have been termite mounds that reach around 30 feet above the ground, and around 50 feet underground - with termites of a great number living there.

While considered to be mainly a pest to most people, termites for the African people are both a friend and a foe. Termites also have positive effects on the ecosystem, by breaking down decayed wood and fertilizing the soil in the process. The feces and the saliva of these African termites help in making this possible. The presence of African termites and with the construction of their nests brings fertile soils from deep down to the surface. Because of this, many African farmers search for termite mounds and they plant crops around these. The negative issues however associated with the presence of these African termites are the increase in soil erosion on sites near their mounds.

The mounds made by these African termites are preponderant in the savannas - species of these termites include the family Termitidae, Macrotermes and Trinervitermes. The family Hodotermitidae or the so-called harvester termites may be the specie with the most number. This group builds its nest underground. Another type of African termite is of the family Kalotermitidae that make its nest in dead branches.

When a fertile queen dies and the termite's nest is abandoned, burrowing animals as Porcupine, Dwarf Mongoose, Black Mamba, Rock Monitor, and Warthog take over the site. It is favored by these new settlers due to the raised level of the area. It becomes much safer and risks during flooding are minimized.

These abandoned mounds may also form into thickets or bushes, as vegetation is most likely to flourish here due to the high fertility of the soil. Eventually, in the land of Africa, these sites become the lairs of lions or leopards and their cubs.

African termites, their behavior and activities as they go about their life cycle definitely affect the ecosystem they are in - the necessary balance of nature is thus achieved.