Termites live just about everywhere there's vegetation but they are most conspicuous in the tropics, where several species build eye-catching mounds. The shape and location of these mounds vary with the species. Perhaps the most recognisable are the huge, knife-blade constructions of the magnetic termite (Amitermes spp.), which are orientated north – south.
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Like ants (to which they are not closely related), termites are divided into castes. Each caste has a specialised role. But unlike those of other social insects, members of the soldier caste don't defend the mound with savage bites. Nasutitermes soldiers squirt glue at attackers through a nozzle on the head. The secretion sticks down small predators. It also contains volatile chemicals that repel larger attackers. Had I thought of it at the time, I would have annoyed them to find out the effectiveness of their defence.