In Botswana, the termite mounds, sometimes called ant heaps, are spectacular and everywhere.  Most are active and may be over a hundred years old.  The termites' complicated social system and building techniques are worth a whole letter, but I think I did that with one of the letters of a previous trip.  They are often over 12 ft/4m tall and when they are dormant they are used by many other species, such as various mongoose, snakes, aardvarks, hyena and warthogs.

This is a typical active mound.  You can see the rougher surface at the top showing new sand that has been brought out.

Here's a dormant one we came across early one morning.  See the open holes and erosion--and then, the larger hole at the lower left from which a big warthog is emerging.  They go in the hole backwards, so it is easy to come out.  The father warthog backs in after the family so he can protect them with his tusks from any digging predator.

This one stayed very still like just that for a long time.  Jackson said it was making sure the coast was clear.  Leopards often hide behind the mound at dawn knowing the warthogs will be coming out soon.  The warthog is not only looking around,with those little suspicious looking eyes, but listening to hear any leopard breathing noises and sniffing the air for any predator scents.

When it feels it's safe, it steps right out.........

...........and is followed promptly by the rest of the family.  Three, four.......

...............and more.  The young see us, but the adults are not concerned about us so neither are they.

Finally they are all out--two adults and five babies--and stand basking in the early morning sun briefly before heading off to find breakfast.

Another example of just luckily being in the right place at the right time to see something really neat !!!