Termite mounds and fungus gardens

Termites live in large groups, called colonies. Up to 1 million termites can live in one single colony, in a giant nest. The termite mound structure can be very complicated. An extensive system of conduits and tunnels serves as ventilation system. The nest form itself is spheroidal and has numerous gallery chambers in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some of the chambers are used as fungus gardens. Worker termites store chewed up wood in the fungus gardens. The wood soon gets covered with fungus. The termite colony eats the fungus.

Termite tower used to produce fungus

The termite tower inside the open pit mine mimics a termite mound and functions as a fungus breeding garden. It counts 35 floors with gallery chambers in which fungus grows.