Africa is a hot and humid country with the less than popular African termite that feeds on wood. The facts about African termites will amaze you as well as educate you to their existence. This termite is not native to the United States, but came over on ships bringing timber for construction many years ago.
The African termite dubious to this area has over four hundred varieties. They build mounds that tower above ground over twenty feet high in some areas. Although these mounds are above ground, they also reach as far down underground as much as fifty feet. The soil in the area of the mounds thrives from these mounds and leaves the soil around them full of nutrients for growing vegetation.
The African populations consider the facts about African termites when discussing the positive and negative roles the termite plays on the environment. Because the termite has a positive effect on the ecosystem, these termites are welcome as they feed on deadwood and breakdown the material for fertilization. This results from the feces and salvia of the termite.
Facts about African termites also have some negative issues concerning the termite, as the soil erosion around the mounds becomes more of a problem. The mounds made by the species savannas, is responsible for this condition in the soil. Other species of the African termite are the Trinervitermes, Macrotermes and the Termitide, with the Hodotermitidae having the largest population. The Kalotermitidae builds nest inside of dead branches.
The most interesting facts about African termites is when the female or the queen as they are known dies, the nest is then abandoned and other wild animals such as the Rock Monitor, Dwarf mongoose and the Porcupine take control of these mounds because of the safety allowed by the height that protects then from flooding.
Another reason these wild animals choose the abandoned nests is the soil is so fertile that vegetation grows heavily and provides camouflage from other predators. Although the lions and tigers also prefer these areas as a good area to hide their cubs until they grow large enough to protect themselves.
The ecosystem needs the termites to achieve a balance of nature and the termites give this back to nature. The facts about African termites finds many positive and interesting issues that make the termite a value to any area, but not our homes. In Africa, the termite helps the land and in the United States, termites help the land, but destroy our homes. The problem with home invasions by termites is not a high priority as it is in the United States, who had a problem with these termites when they were discovered living in timber brought over on ships.
