Other Free Encyclopedias » Science Encyclopedia » Science & Philosophy: Swim bladder (air bladder) to Thallium » Termites - Caste System, Reproductives, Workers, Soldiers, The Mature Colony

Termites - Soldiers

heads colony

The soldier termites' main responsibility is defending the colony. Unlike other termites, soldiers have large armor-plated heads, a tough outer skeleton, and sometimes have glands for squirting poison at their enemies. Furthermore, the soldiers are equipped with biting mandibles, which include cutting edge teeth and even hooks.

Although termites are often preyed upon by aardvarks, reptiles, and other amphibians, their main predators are army and chirping ants. Even though the soldiers are blind, they can sense intruders with their antennae. To warn the colony, the soldiers beat their heads against the ground. Soldiers are never able to feed themselves.


Termites - The Mature Colony [next] [back] Termites - Workers

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