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: degrees Wet/dry climate: Rain at certain times of year Geologic features Climate allows for plant growth, but not wetenough 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 upand die; some rivers and streams dry up;most of the animals migrate to find food. Wet season: all of the plants are lush andthe rivers flow freely;the animals migrateback 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 verydry and arid, giraffes areadapted to go weeks withoutwater, getting their neededwater supply from the morningdew and water from the foodthey eat. Their long necks allow themto feed from high treetopsand make them lesssusceptible 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 elephantshave been physicallyadapted to get waternot available to otheranimals in thesavanna. Theiradapted strengthallows them to tearopen the trunk of thebaobab tree and suckthe water from it withtheir long trunks. The White Throated Monitor
Animal Adaptations The White Throated Monitor During the dry months in the savanna (July toDecember) the white throated monitor hasadapted to fast. When the dry months have ended, because of thedry environment around it, the monitor seeks tofeed while expending as little energy as possible. Itachieves this by not chewing its prey, but,doubling the size of its adapted mouth andswallowing 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 hasadapted to growingshort clusters of leavesonly during the wetseason to prevent waterloss from the leaf. This tree also can storewater in its trunk for thedry season. Plant Adaptations The Acacia Tree The Eucalyptus Tree
The acacia tree has long,sharp thorns to protect itsleaves from being eaten byherbivorous animals. It also has taproots thatcan grow up to 115ftunderground to get waterin 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 onits flowers. These hairs taste bad toherbivores preventing them from eatingthem and the hairs also help retain water inthe dry climate. Comparable Plants The umbrella thorn acacia grows in the sanddunes of the savanna and the river bushwillowgrows in grassland along river banks.Both plantsgrow deep taproots to get water during the drymonths, they both prefer warm, dry climates togrow in, and both are widely used as shade treesby animals in the savanna.