Termites are an integral part of the savanna ecosystem. Their vast colonies and intricate mound structures support a wide array of life. These abundant insects serve as a significant food source for numerous animal species, from large mammals to tiny invertebrates. They also help cycle nutrients through the soil and provide resources, making them a central component of the savanna’s food web.
Mammals That Consume Termites
Mammals exhibit diverse and often specialized adaptations for consuming termites in the savanna. The aardvark (Orycteropus afer), a nocturnal burrowing mammal, uses powerful claws and strong limbs to excavate termite mounds. Once breached, its long, sticky tongue, extending up to 45 cm (18 inches), efficiently collects thousands of termites. Aardvarks can consume up to 50,000 insects in a single night.
Pangolins (Manis spp.), often called scaly anteaters, also specialize in a diet of ants and termites. They possess robust claws for tearing into nests and a long, sticky tongue, which can extend up to 40 cm (16 inches). Pangolins can seal their nostrils and ears to prevent biting insects from entering during feeding. An adult pangolin can eat millions of insects annually, with some estimates suggesting over 70 million termites per year.
The aardwolf (Proteles cristata), a smaller, hyena-like mammal, primarily feeds on harvester termites (Trinervitermes spp.), consuming 200,000 to 300,000 termites in a single night. Unlike its scavenging relatives, the aardwolf has peg-like teeth and relies on a long, sticky tongue to lap up termites from the surface rather than digging into mounds. Bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis) are another insectivorous canid, with termites and dung beetles making up about 80% of their diet. Their large ears help them locate termites underground, and they can consume over a million termites per year.
Generalist mammals also opportunistically feed on termites. Various mongoose species, such as the dwarf mongoose and white-tailed mongoose, include termites in their diverse diets. Dwarf mongooses often use old termite mounds as shelter and forage for insects. White-tailed mongooses, which are primarily nocturnal, also rely on insects, including termites, especially during wet seasons.
Birds That Consume Termites
Birds in the savanna employ various strategies to prey on termites. Hornbills, such as the Southern ground hornbill, consume termites, often foraging near mounds or catching them during swarming events. These birds might also follow other animals, like mongooses, to feed on insects flushed out during foraging activities. The Southern ground hornbill frequently includes termites as a primary food source.
Storks, including Abdim’s stork (Ciconia abdimii), feed on swarming termites. While primarily insectivorous, they consume termites, especially when abundant during dispersal flights. Plovers also feed on termites, foraging on the ground where termites are accessible.
Certain raptor species may also opportunistically feed on termites, particularly during swarming events. The emergence of winged termites provides an easily catchable, high-protein food source for many bird species. Birds snatch termites from the air or pick them off the ground when they disperse from their colonies.
Reptiles and Amphibians That Consume Termites
Reptiles and amphibians in the savanna also contribute to termite predation. Various lizard species, including monitor lizards and skinks, feed on termites. Savannah monitors, for instance, primarily consume insects like termites and millipedes, using their specialized teeth for crushing prey. Some female monitor lizards even lay their eggs inside termite mounds, benefiting from the stable environment.
Certain snakes, particularly burrowing or blind snake species, may prey on termites within their underground tunnels. While not a primary food source for all snakes, termites can be an accessible meal for those that navigate subterranean environments. Their slender bodies allow them to access the intricate networks of termite nests.
Frog and toad species in the savanna consume termites. These amphibians feed on termites when they are near the ground or during swarming events, when the winged insects are easily caught. The West African savanna frog, for example, can hide within ant nests, potentially protecting it from predators while also being near a food source like termites.
Invertebrates That Consume Termites
Other invertebrates play a significant role in preying on termites within the savanna ecosystem. Certain ant species are specialized predators of termites. For example, Matabele ants (Megaponera analis) raid termite colonies and carry killed termites back to their nests as food. Some ant colonies, like those of the Iridomyrmex genus, may nest within termite mounds and regularly prey on the resident termites.
Predatory beetles, including certain ground beetles and rove beetles, consume termites. These beetles may actively hunt individual termites or scavenge on those exposed during other predatory activities. Termites, especially at vulnerable stages like larvae or during dispersal flights, provide an accessible food source for these insect predators.
Arachnids, such as various spider species, are termite predators. Wolf spiders, known for their active hunting, may ambush termites near their colonies or on the ground. Trapdoor spiders might capture termites that wander near the entrance of their burrows. Scorpions also opportunistically prey on termites, particularly smaller species that can be easily subdued.