the savanna biome
Post on 08-Jan-2018
231 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
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.
top related