National Geographic means photography and the 2010 photography contest winners. One of the nature winners is a photo (below) of a termite mound, with a monkey sitting on top. Southern Asia and Africa are home to enormous termite mounds, truly a wonders of natural construction. The giant mounds are used to regulate the temperature of the nest in very hot climates. The walls are porous and can channel wind into the nest to provide air circulation deep underground. Termites build the mounds from soil brought to the surface in their quest for water.
This termite mound is in Jim Corbett National Park in the foothills of the Himalayas of India. Termites have an important influence on these ecosystems by fixing nitrogen and providing food to animals higher up the food chain such as monkeys. You can see the original photo and other contest winners on the National Geographic Website.
Monkey on a Termite Mound
Photo: Sanjeev Bohr
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