Tropical Savannas
Animals & Their Environment
2015
General Overview
• Grasses are the
predominant vegetation
• Some shrubs and trees
• Found just north & south of
tropical rainforests
• Transition area between
rainforests and deserts of
the subtropics
Climate
• Alternating wet and dry
seasons
• ITCZ “controls” the climate
• High-sun season is wet
• Low-sun season is dry
• Precipitation varies from 2060” a year
Other factors that contribute to a savanna
Fire
• Natural fires sparked by
lightning on dry grasses
• Adaptations:
• Trees and shrubs – thick
bark
• Grasses – deep root
system
• Promotes new growth
• Animals find shelter or
flee
Grazing
• Large herds of grazing
animals helps to maintain
the savanna
• Browers also work on
trees and shrubs
• Heavy grazing or
overgrazing can destroy
the savanna
Animals of tropical savannas & their
adaptations
Small mammals
• Nocturnal – rarely seen
• Go below ground – avoid heat
and fires
• Omnivores
• Main predators are feline and
canine
• Mice, gerbils, other rodents
Ant & Termite eaters
• Specialize in eating ants and
termites
• “Strange” looking creatures
• Evolved to be efficient eaters
of their prey
Larger Mammals
• Mixture of predators and prey
• Carnivores – canine & feline
• Herbivores – the grazers
and browers
• Adapt to the sun –
• move to cooler regions
• Zebras face their rump to
the sun
• Seek shade or water
Flightless birds
• Ostrich – Africa
• Emu – Australia
• Rhea – South America
Other
critters
• Scavengers
• Reptiles
• Birds
• Insects
Big Cat Week
• Maps:
http://mapmaker.education.nationalgeographic.com/?ls=000000
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• Lion Decline: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/bigcats/lion-decline-map/
• http://education.nationalgeographic.org/big-cats/