How do termites build mounds with built-in temperature control?

Many termite species construct mounds with internal chambers, vents, and tunnels that help manage temperature, humidity, and gas exchange. Air can move through the mound as outside temperatures shift, carrying heat and carbon dioxide away from the nest. Famous studies of African termite mounds showed that their architecture can help maintain a more stable internal environment than the outside air. The exact design varies by species, but the basic principle is the same: a mound is both a nest and a ventilation system.