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Animal profile

Compass Termite

Amitermes meridionalis

InsectaSeasonally flooded grassland plains of the Australian tropics

Field profile

The compass termite builds tall, thin, wedge-shaped mounds that stand like tombstones on open plains. Colonies feed on grass, which they cut and store. The mounds can exceed three metres and persist for decades.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2026-09-01

Compass Termite

Compass termite mounds line up north to south

The flat faces of the wedge point east and west, so the broad sides catch weak morning and evening sun while the narrow edge meets the fierce midday sun overhead. The alignment is remarkably consistent across a plain.

Read with evidence →

Compass Termite | Daily Animal Facts