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Why do termites spend much of their lives underground in savannas?

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Flat savanna plain with scattered acacia trees under a partly cloudy sky in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. — Savanna A savanna marked with acacia trees in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Africa's Serengeti Plain is commonly used as an example of the savanna biome—a hot, seasonally dry ecological region characterized by an open tree canopy (i.e., scattered trees) above an understory of continuous grasses.

Termites in savannas spend most of their lives underground primarily to survive the harsh environmental conditions and to access stable food sources.

Because termites have a soft cuticle, they are highly susceptible to desiccation (drying out). Living in subterranean nests allows them to maintain an optimal microclimate that is warm, damp, and dark, protecting them from the extreme temperatures and dry air of the savanna surface. These nests also provide essential shelter and protection from predators.1

Furthermore, the underground environment offers a more consistent food supply. While aboveground vegetation in savannas is subject to extreme seasonal fluctuations—often drying out or dying during the long dry season—a large proportion of plant biomass, such as roots and tubers, remains available below the surface. By remaining underground, termites can exploit these stable subterranean resources, which are less affected by the seasonal variations that drive many surface-dwelling animals to migrate.2