Final answer:
Termites maintain moisture in their tunnels by lining them with a mixture of mud and saliva that hardens to create a barrier. They can digest wood due to symbiotic protozoa in their guts that break down cellulose.
Step-by-step explanation:
To maintain the proper level of moisture required for survival, termites line their tunnels with a mud and saliva mix that hardens to form a moisture-impervious layer. This behavior is crucial for termites since it protects their colonies from external conditions and helps maintain the humidity necessary for their survival.
Termites are fascinating insects because they can digest wood thanks to the mutualistic relationship they have with symbiotic protozoa in their guts. These protozoa produce enzymes that break down the cellulose in wood, which the termite is then able to utilize. This adaptation allows termites to exploit a nutrient source—wood—that is inedible to many other organisms.