Mighty dwarves

By Jackson Shirima, Guide - Chada Katavi

Anyone, whether resident or visitor is impressed by the variety of sizes, shapes and by the number of termite mounds on the African savannah. Some of these mounds are extremely substantial and well planed. On the northern edge of Katisunga flood plain there is this intriguing colony of termites who decided to build their mound in a life tree. It is amazing how these creative engineers managed to put up their collective feat of skilful work into the tree and still both co-exist in perfect harmony.

Katisunga gets flooded in the wet season but no water reaches the level of the mound and no Aardvark, Aarkwolf or Pangolin have the balance to climb the tree, break the mound and hold on at the same time. Termites modify the soil to create the their homes that range from fist size mounds to ingeniously air conditioned giant mounds, reaching up to six meters in height. Termite mounds are of use to mammals, birds and reptiles as resting sites, lookout points, scratching posts and refuge from predators. Trees will also take root in abandoned mounds but sometimes we have reversed roles as in this case.