The Savanna Biome

Climate Savannas also known as tropical grasslands Climate is based on location near equator (Africa and Australia locations) Warm temperatures year-round Temperature range: 68-86 degrees Wet/dry climate: Rain at certain times of year

Geologic features Climate allows for plant growth, but not wet enough for forests. Between tropical rainforests and desert biomes. Flat, rolling grasslands. Soil: porous rapid drainage only thin layer of humus (helps vegetation)

Seasons Two seasons: wet season (summer) and dry season (winter) Dry season: most of the plants shrivel up and die; some rivers and streams dry up; most of the animals migrate to find food. Wet season: all of the plants are lush and the rivers flow freely;the animals migrate back to graze

Comparable Animals Lion and Caracal Lion - most powerful predator - eat small to medium sized animals - live in groups (prides) - lead by one male - leftovers provide food for other animals - run up to 40 mph Caracal - hunt small to large animals - live alone - male abandons female after gives birth - run up to 50 mph

Comparable Animals

Comparable Animals Dwarf Mongoose and Meerkat Dwarf Mongoose - live in communities - live in fallen logs or burrow underground - eat snakes, bird eggs, insects, reptiles - diurnal - very vocal Meerkat - type of mongoose - burrow underground - insects, birds, reptiles, small rodents - nocturnal

Animal Adaptations in the Savanna

Animal Adaptations in the Savanna

Animal Adaptations The Giraffe The Koala Bear Because the Savanna is very dry and arid, giraffes are adapted to go weeks without water, getting their needed water supply from the morning dew and water from the food they eat. Their long necks allow them to feed from high treetops and make them less susceptible to predators. Koala bears have adapted to their dry environment by almost never drinking. Instead, they get water from the leaves of Eucalyptus trees in the Australian savanna. Their hands also have a large gap between the first and second fingers and their big toe has a wide angle to make it easier for them to stay in these trees all day.

Animal Adaptations The African Elephant The Rhinoceros The rhinoceros has thick skin that protects it from the underbrush in the savanna and very large ears and noses so that they can hear and smell very acutely for food and dangers in their environment. African elephants have been physically adapted to get water not available to other animals in the savanna. Their adapted strength allows them to tear open the trunk of the baobab tree and suck the water from it with their long trunks.

The White Throated Monitor Animal Adaptations The White Throated Monitor During the dry months in the savanna (July to December) the white throated monitor has adapted to fast. When the dry months have ended, because of the dry environment around it, the monitor seeks to feed while expending as little energy as possible. It achieves this by not chewing its prey, but, doubling the size of its adapted mouth and swallowing whole.

Plant Adaptations

Plant Adaptations The Baobab Tree Bermuda Grass Bermuda grass is adapted to warm, dry climates, so when the flooding occurs in the savanna, the Bermuda grass dies. When the dry season returns, it regrows quickly. The baobab tree has adapted to growing short clusters of leaves only during the wet season to prevent water loss from the leaf. This tree also can store water in its trunk for the dry season.

Plant Adaptations The Acacia Tree The Eucalyptus Tree The acacia tree has long, sharp thorns to protect its leaves from being eaten by herbivorous animals. It also has taproots that can grow up to 115ft underground to get water in the dry season. The eucalyptus tree grows vertical leaves to lessen surface area of sun exposure, keeping the leaves from drying. The leaves are also thick with few breathing pores and a waxy covering to prevent water loss during the dry season.

Plant Adaptations The Kangaroo Paw Kangaroo paws grow tiny, wooly hairs on its flowers. These hairs taste bad to herbivores preventing them from eating them and the hairs also help retain water in the dry climate.

Comparable Plants

The umbrella thorn acacia grows in the sand dunes of the savanna and the river bushwillow grows in grassland along river banks. Both plants grow deep taproots to get water during the dry months, they both prefer warm, dry climates to grow in, and both are widely used as shade trees by animals in the savanna.