Fun Facts
- The savanna biome is mostly made up of grass but there are a few trees.
- Because of the availability of grass in the savanna, there are many grazing animals who take advantage of this abundant food supply.
- The savanna biome is rich with herbivores such as elephants, zebras, gazelles, and buffalo.
- The largest part of the savanna biome is located in Africa.
- Almost half of Africa is considered a savanna.
- Because of the extended periods of wet and dry climate in the savanna biome, the availability of food changes throughout the year.
- Some animals go so long without water during the dry season that they barely make it alive to the wet season.
- The savanna biome receives about 59 inches of rain. Majority of this occurs during the wet season.
- Although there are various types of soil in the savanna biome, it is not suitable for farming.
- In the savanna biome, all the animals and plants are extremely dependent upon each other for a food supply. If one species of animal were removed, the entire ecosystem would be altered.
- Climate is very important in the savanna biome. If the rainfall decreases and/or the temperature increases, the animals and plants will not be able to continue to survive.
- The savanna in Africa is a big tourist attraction but the introduction of vehicles and humans into that environment is very stressful to the plants and animals there.
- The savanna remains warm all year long. During the wet season, the temperature is more pleasant with an average of 63° F.
- There are many herbivores in the savanna biome which also bring many carnivores. Herbivores have developed traits which help them escape predators such as being fast, being large, or being tall.
- The savanna biome does have a long dry season so plants there have adapted to this climate. Some store water in their roots and others extend their long roots deep into the ground to recover water from the water table.
Threats
- Due to several watershed development programs, many trenches and bunds are being created across vast tracts of grasslands. This causes destruction of the plant community and exposes top soil to erosion.
- Wind-farm development in Bhoom, Yeola, Kondapuram, and Susner grasslands offer the possibility of death for many grassland birds and wildlife, such as the great Indian bustard, lesser florican, several species of migratory harriers and other birds of prey.
- Reports of wildlife hunters and poachers are common amongst various savannas. If it continues to go on, these grasslands will be left with numerous endangered animals, soon to go extinct.
Inhabitants
- Impalas: These stunning mammals are herbivores. They have adapted to the tropical savanna by gathering in herds to find protection from predators like lions. They are great runners who can jump distances up to 33 feet, which also helps escape predators.
- African Wild Dog: As the name might suggest, these carnivores are found in Africa's great savannas. They live in packs, and are known for their "kindness", and they often share food to assist weak or ill members. When puppies are born, the whole pack assists in raising them. They hunt antelope, and occasionally larger animals, especially if one of the pack is injured. The dogs supplement their diet with rodents and birds. Their irregular, mottled coat helps in finding camouflage throughout their habitat.
- Bacteria: These are key decomposers/detritivores of any biome, their large numbers allowing them to widely colonize a habitat's soil. Bacteria often flourish in savannas where temperatures tend to remain above 77 degrees Fahrenheit as they do in northern Australia. Certain kinds of bacteria, such as those called Acidobacteria, are especially resistant to changes in soil moisture and can slow their metabolic rates when few nutrients are present, making them well-suited to savanna life.
- Umbrella Thorn Acacia: This is one of the most recognizable trees of the African savanna. It grows in sand dunes and rocky grounds of Africa's grasslands. Acacia's grow in areas with annual rainfall as low as 4 cm. This tree can survive in 122° F temperatures during the day, and freezing temperatures at nights. It is a producer.