How do termite mounds regulate temperature so effectively?

The answer

Termite mounds are among the most sophisticated structures built by any non-human animal. Macrotermes termites in Africa build mounds up to 30 feet tall with an intricate network of ventilation channels that function like a building's HVAC system. The mound's porous walls allow gas exchange while the internal architecture creates convection currents that circulate fresh air through the fungus gardens where termites cultivate their food. The mound's thick walls provide thermal mass that buffers against external temperature swings, maintaining the interior within about 1 degree Celsius of the optimal 31 degrees. Architects have studied termite mound ventilation to design energy-efficient buildings, most famously the Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe.