The GrasslandsBy Mrs. Barnes’ Second Grade Class

This is a prairie.

There are two types of grasslands. One is called the prairie and one is called the savannah. Our class learned about both of these places.

This is a savannah.

The Savannah Grassland

Savannahs By Ashley

Savannah grasslands stretch for miles between dry deserts and thick green rain forests. Savannahs are also called tropical grasslands. Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America have savannahs. Savannahs are warm all year. They have a hot dry season and a cooler wet one.

Black Mamba By ShaneBlack mambas live on the savannah. The black mamba is the most deadly snake in the world. They grow 14 feet in length. They have a brownish-gray body with a light belly and brownish scales along its back.

Whistling Thorn By LucianThe whistling thorn is an acacia tree commonly seen on the savannah of east Africa. This plant can grow 18 feet tall. The whistling thorn protects itself with pairs of long thorns up to 3 inches long.

Lions By DanahiThe lion lives in the savannah grassland. Lions run faster than other animals. They hunt in groups called herds. They are sometimes called cats. Lions eat other animals. They hide in tall grass to catch their prey.

Hyenas By KamrynHyenas live in the savannah grasslands. Their front legs are longer than their back legs. The brown hyena lives in South Africa. Hyenas weigh up to 190 pounds. Some hyenas hunt alone. A female can have 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 babies.

Giraffes By PhoenixThe giraffe lives in the savannas. Giraffes are really, really tall. They are taller than 3 grown men standing on each other’s shoulders. Within a few minutes of its birth a baby giraffe is struggling to its feet. A single well aimed kick can kill a lion. They hug by rubbing heads and necks.

Elephant Grass By TristenElephant grass lives in the savannahs. Elephant grass is a tall grass that originally came from Africa. It is yellowish or purple in color and the stems are coarse and hairy and about 1 inch thick near the base. Elephant grass can spread very quickly and kill other plants. It is just like regular grass in many ways.

Nigricep Ants By KayqueNigricep ants live in the whistling thorn on the savannah. The thorns are a good nesting site for the ants. Like all ants, nigricep ants have 3 body parts. They live in colonies with a queen, males, and workers.

Meerkats By TylerMeerkats live in the savannah. They hunt for reptiles and other creatures. Meerkats use sharp claws to dig burrows. They also dig for food. They live in groups called mobs. Meerkats bark to warn mobs of predators. Meerkats run to their burrows to hide underground.

Prairie Grassland

Prairie Grasslands By AtianaPrairies are also called temperate grasslands. Asia, Europe, North America and Australia have temperate grasslands. In the prairie grasslands leaves change colors. In winter, snow whips across the open spaces. Seasons in the prairie grasslands bring changes.

Wolves By JaredWolves live in the prairie grassland. They are a member of the dog family. Gray wolves are the most common and were once found all over the Northern Hemisphere. A lone wolf howls to attract the attention of his pack. Wolves hunt animals such as deer, elk, and moose.

Bald Eagles By GabeBald Eagles live in the prairies. They are excellent hunters. They change their nests to fit different trees. Bald Eagles eat dead animals. Bald Eagles weigh eight to twelve pounds.

Bobcat By KieraThe bobcat is named for its tail which is short. Bobcats are nocturnal so they are rarely spotted. They have long legs. Some bobcats live in North America.

Turtles By JonathanA turtle lives in a prairie. The turtle can live for fifty years. Many kinds of turtles live in fresh water on prairies. Turtles have been in existence for about 200,000,000 years. Some turtles live in swamps. They go in their shells for protection from enemies or hide in tall grass.

Buffalo Grass By AutumnBuffalo Grass is in the prairies. It grows between 2 and 5 inches tall and out between 6 feet and 12 feet. Besides being found on prairies, buffalo grass is seen in meadows and used for turf grass. Its ornamental flowers can look pretty no matter where it grows.

Great Plains Toad By MadisonGreat plains toads live on the prairie. Male great plains toads make a loud trill that lasts 20 seconds. Great plains toads come together in spring in shallow water. They are gray, brown, or greenish. Hognose snakes, raccoons, and skunks eat them. Farmers like these amphibians because they eat cutworms. They eat lots of insects.

Swift fox By LaylahSwift foxes live in the prairie grassland. The swift fox almost was extinct but it made it back to being a common grassland animal. It is about 12 inches in height and 31 inches in length from head to tail. It weighs 5 pounds. The color is gray with a yellow and tan color. Their throat, chest and belly are pale yellow to white.

Grasslands are in Danger By RamayaPrairie grasslands are in danger. Global warming is effecting prairie grasslands and making plants die. Global warming is turning prairie grasslands into deserts. Humans are building cities and are increasingly cutting into grassland habitats. Prairie grassland soil is rich and almost anything can be grown there. Farmer’s crops will be affected if prairie grasslands disappear and animals, plants, and insects will die. We should take care of grasslands so they do not disappear.