Why Do So Many Termites Live In Grassland Ecosystems?
Tropical and sub tropical grasslands make the perfect home environment for termites. The soil underneath the grass is soft and termites are able to make millions of minute tunnels through this rich and nutritious layer of humus. These tunnels are walkways that allow the termites to move about unhindered by potential predators and well away from the baking Sun. Termites have thin and delicate skin that does not conserve body moisture very well. To avoid exposure to this source of drying out the termites remain underground, either in their tunnels or in the vast mounds where they break down the dead or living tissue of grassland plants, and where they also raise their young. Termites live in colonies that contain millions of individuals and their termite mounds are a distinctive feature of the grassland landscape. Each mound contains an intricate system of passages, tunnels and chambers and is safe in the grassland environment.
Tropical and sub tropical grasslands make the perfect home environment for termites. The soil underneath the grass is soft and termites are able to make millions of minute tunnels through this rich and nutritious layer of humus. These tunnels are walkways that allow the termites to move about unhindered by potential predators and well away from the baking Sun. Termites have thin and delicate skin that does not conserve body moisture very well. To avoid exposure to this source of drying out the termites remain underground, either in their tunnels or in the vast mounds where they break down the dead or living tissue of grassland plants, and where they also raise their young. Termites live in colonies that contain millions of individuals and their termite mounds are a distinctive feature of the grassland landscape. Each mound contains an intricate system of passages, tunnels and chambers and is safe in the grassland environment.
