{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "termite",
  "name": "Termite",
  "scientificName": "Isoptera",
  "category": "Insect",
  "summary": "Termites are small social insects of the infraorder Isoptera that live in large colonies and feed on wood, leaf litter, and other plant matter. Ranging from 4 to 15 mm long, they build organised societies of workers, soldiers, and reproductive kings and queens, with colonies numbering from thousands to several million. Worker termites live only months, while a queen can survive for many years. They are vital recyclers of dead plant material in tropical and warm regions.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Arthropoda",
    "class": "Insecta",
    "order": "Blattodea",
    "family": null,
    "genus": null
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 0.00001,
    "lengthM": 0.01,
    "topSpeedKmh": 0.2,
    "lifespanYears": 1
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Infraorder Isoptera"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Herbivore/detritivore (wood, leaf litter, plant matter)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Soil and wood in tropical and warm-temperate regions"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Workers months; queens many years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "4–15 mm depending on species and caste"
    },
    {
      "label": "Colony size",
      "value": "Thousands to several million"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Varies by species"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Soil and wood in tropical and warm-temperate regions worldwide; ecosystem engineers that recycle dead plant matter.",
    "continents": [
      "Africa",
      "Asia",
      "South America",
      "North America",
      "Oceania"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Isoptera.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Isoptera&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Termite.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Termite"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/termite/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/termite/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}