Termites eat house: Man eats termites

...not necessarily in that order. But in this case, an Australian prospector lost in the wilds of the Outback, managed to survive for four days eating termites from a giant mound.

Australia has a number of termites that build mounds up to 20 feet (6 meters) in height! Spending most time underground, they survive the heat of the desert during the day and don't tend to wander too far from the protective confines of the mound.

While it's true that termites eat wood, they don't actually digest the wood on their own. Wood contains cellulose, a tightly interwoven web of carbohydrate chains that is difficult for even humans to digest. So, termites have evolved a mutually-beneficial relationship with bacteria that are obligated to live in the guts of the little wood-munchers. The bacteria break down the cellulose making the freed carbs digestible to the termites. When bacteria break down the cellulose they produce methane. Put millions of bacteria together in millions of termite tummies and you will see a more than negligible amount of methane produced: up to 5% of the atmosphere's methane is from termite farts!

What perhaps is most amusing is the fact that termites are  not born with these helpful bacteria; they need to be "inoculated". Baby termites get their gut bugs from a process called "anal trophylaxis" which is eating poop from another termite who already has the compulsory bacteria.

Speaking of all this eating I have long-maintained that termites are a healthy, ecologically responsible alternative protein source. Without getting on a soapbox, I will just report some nutritional information of termites versus beef and let you decide:

Three ounces of termites compared to 3 oz. of beef:
Termites 20% protein, fat 35%, 100% RDA of Iron (and a bunch of vitamins as well)
Beef 25% protein, fat 20%, 15% RDA Iron (and some cholesterol and some vitamins)

I should add that termites are free. Now that you're ready to eat some of those cellulose-digesting factories I thought that I would add my own favorite and yes, personally taste-tested recipes for termites:

SPINACH ARTICHOKE AND TERMITE DIP     

1 8-10 oz. Reticulitermes flavipes
1 large sour cream
1 box frozen chopped spinach
1 jar artichoke (puree)
1 envelope savory herbs with garlic
1 bag shredded Italian cheese
2 fresh baked White Mountain breads

In a medium to large saucepan, heat the sour cream add the frozen spinach (does not need to be thawed). When both are heated and mix well add the jar of pureed artichoke, mix well add 1 envelope of Savory Herbs with Garlic; mix well.

Place living termites in freezer for 30-40 minutes. Termites may also be placed in strong spirits such as grain alcohol or vodka.

Add the whole bag of shredded cheese and mix well. When the cheese is melted and well blended, remove from heat.

Remove termites from freezer/alcohol (rinse if in alcohol). Carefully fold in termites.

Take one of the White Mountain Breads, and remove most of the center, creating a bowl-like interior. Pour spinach dip into center.

Cut the removed section and the second bread into small pieces and place on tray around bread-bowl.
Enjoy!! Adapted from: Gricel R. Martinez. Photo & plate from http://www.nonfictiongroup.blogspot.com/.