The Tropical Savanna
Powerpoint by Alex
and Roxy Cativiela
What is it, and where’s it found?
• Grassland, shrubs, trees
• Africa – Acacia
• Australia – Eucalyptus
Weather, Climate, Soil
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Warm year round (68˚–86˚ F)
Long dry winter (4 in)
Very wet summer (15 – 25 in)
Soil is extremely porous
Can catch fire when very dry
Adaptations
• Small burrowing animals – dormant – drought.
• Grass – grows quickly – adequate water. Fire
stimulates growth. Replenishes nutrients in
soil. Turns brown to limit water loss.
• Grass – too sharp or bitter – avoid competition.
• Baobob – leafless in dry season, stores water in
trunk.
Adaptations Continued
• Acacia – long tap roots, fire
resistant.
• Ants live in Acacia thorns.
Used as defense when
consumers.
• Large ears on some animals
to help cool body.
•Poisonous alkaloid emitted into
leaves and air when giraffes try to
consume.
Balance and Dependency (Biodiversity)
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Over 40 species of hoofed mammals
Over 16 species of browsers
Height, time of day or year, location
Grass – Herbivores
Herds of mammals – Carnivores
• Overgrazing
Food Chain
• Producers - trees, shrubs, grass.
• Primary Consumers –zebras, gazelles, giraffes,
elephants.
• Secondary Consumers –cheetahs, lions,
hyenas, crocodiles, wild dogs, leopards.
• Scavengers –termites, vultures, hyenas.
• Decomposers (Detrivores) – mushrooms,
insects, microorganisms.
Cool Facts
• Christ’s Crown of Thorns –
Acacia
• Acacia is used as flavoring.
Treats sore throat, helps the
digestive tract.
• The Baobob tree – Bottom’s
up. Trunk diameter - 12
meters. Can live thousands of
years. Shelter.
• The candelabra tree poisonous. White sap from
the inner tree can cause
blister on skin, blinds eyes,
breathing the fumes burns.
Sticky poisonous latex and
sharp spines prevents
feeding.
More Facts
• Eucalyptus in medicines to treat: infections, colds, flu,
sore throats, bronchitis, pneumonia, aching, stiffness,
neuralgia, skin infections.
• The River Bushwillow (Hiccup Nut) seed causes violent
hiccups.
• Umbrella Thorn Acacia can survive in 122° F
temperatures during the day, and freezing
temperatures at nights.
• Over 700 Acacia species in Africa.
• Elephants can’t jump. Wanted for tusks.
• Zebra’s are black with white stripes.
Tourism Information
• Savannah Overland Expeditions
• 10 week trip (72 days)
• 10 countries (Kenya, Uganda, Congo/Rwanda,
Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Botswana, Namibia, South Africa)
• http://www.savannahoverland.com/
• Safety: Disease, Animals
• Many fun activities!
Quiz on what you’ve learned
1. Where is the largest Savanna located?
2. What is the niche of the hyena?
3. What is the dominant tree of the Australian
Savanna?
4. Name one adaptation.
5. What is another name for the River
Bushwillow?
Credits
• http://www.bioinquiry.vt.edu/bioinquiry/chee
tah/cheetahpaid/cheetahhtmls/foodweb.gif
• http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/ear
thsysflr/savannahP.html
• http://blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna.htm