Grassland Savannah
V
ast open grasslands occupy the greatest part of the Masai Mara, with
Red Oat Grass being dominant. This grass is very palatable, particularly when
young, and provides fodder for the huge concentrations of wilde- beest, zebra
and other grazing herbivores which migrate back and forth across the region.
Other common grasses include Sweet-pitted Grass and the tall Thatching
Grass. The tomato-like Sodom Apple is a common broad-leaved plant which
usually grows in over-grazed areas, where the unpalatable Wire Grass and
False Star Grass also be found. Woody plants are few, although large, lone
trees – typically Desert Date and Boscia – may be conspicuous. Close
inspection of taller grassland will often reveal numerous small acacia
saplings, but these young trees are not able to mature, as fire and herbivore
pressure keep pruning them to the ground. The grass itself is stimulated by fire,
which removes the old rank growth to make way for fresh green shoots. Due to
its regenerative powers, fire is used as a tool by the Maasai to promote palatable
grass growth for their cattle.
Two distinct kinds of grassland exist in the Mara. First, there are those
which are derived, such as on the black cotton clay soils of the Mara Triangle,
and would revert to bushland or woodland if the agents of elephants, fire and
grazing pressure were removed. Secondly, there are those which are edaphic,
such as the Meta Plains where a hard pan surface exists below ground-level
to impede drainage and prevent deep-rooted woody plants from establishing
themselves.
Grasslands support a tremendous number and diversity of herbivores
which are able to co-exist through each species’ particular feeding strategy.
Small-mouthed antelope such as Topi, Kongoni and Thomson’s gazelle are
selective feeders which favour short grass, while Common Wildebeest and
Buffalo have broader mouths suitable for bulk feeding of longer grass. The
Zebra feeds on tough material other animals’ digestive system cannot easily
break. The small mammals such as Cape Hare and Mongooses are some of the
plentiful crepuscular and nocturnal species.
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Wildlife Within The Masai Mara 9
Wildebeests in the Mara Triangle
Lion at Enkiu plain, Mara Triangle
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Wildlife Within The Masai Mara
Lion at Maji ya Ndege, Mara Triangle
Among the birds typical of grasslands are Ostrich, Secretary
bird and vari- ous species of Bustard, Lark, Pipit, Cisticola and
Widowbird which are rather inconspicuous for much of the year, but
sing and display themselves during the breeding season. The
Northern Wheatear and Isabelline Wheatear visit the plains
from October to March. Two birds to look out for around the termite
mounds which protrude out of the grasslands are the Sooty Chat
and Usam- biro (D’Arnaud’s) Barbet. The small migrant, as well
as resident, raptors such as peregrine falcon and common kestrel
often fish on the grassland birds.
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