Savanna

Savanna

Grassland with scattered trees; found in tropical regions of Africa, Australia, and South America

Location

Savannas cover: half of Africa's surface and large are areas of South America, Australia, and India

Types of Savannas

There are several different types of savannas. Mediterranean, tropical, subtropical, and temperate savannas.

Environmental Threats

Savannas suffer from wildfires, invasive species, sea level rise, tree clearing, desertification and climate change

Climate

The temperatures range from 68 degrees to 86 degrees F.

Rainfall

Annual rainfall ranges from 10 inches to 30 inches. During dry seasons lighting often strikes the ground.

Seasons

Savannas have a wet season and a dry season. Animals migrate during the dry season.

Plants

Savannas have all types of plants including wildgrass, which is the most important. Acacia, pine, and palm tress grow in savannas as well.

Plant Features

Plants in savannas have long tap roots that can reach deep water tables. They conserve this water for winter.

Animals

They have adapted to diet variations: lots of food during the wet season and little food during the dry season. There's a large variety of animals as well.

Adaptations

Many animals in the savanna have long legs or long wings. These long limbs help them run or fly faster.

The Big 5

The big 5 are African animals including: elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, and the rhino

Transitional Zones

Savanna are transition zones between forests and grasslands. In this zone vegetation shifts from trees to grass.

Division

The savanna is divided into four regions: Lower savanna, Granite slope, Upper savanna, and Quartzite slope

African Savanna

The Serengeti is the largest savanna in the world. It's also the most famous savanna. This is the savanna you see at the beginning of some movies.

Australian Savanna

An Australian savanna is called the bush. Lots of kangaroos live and feed here. It doesn't have a wide variety of animals like the Serengeti.

Argentinian Savanna

Argentinian savannas are called pampas.

Biodiversity

The savanna has the largest diversity of herbivores and mammals in the world.