Residents of the savannah in Africa animals for children. Amazing African steppe: flora and fauna

Savannas occupy almost 40% of the area of ​​the African continent. They are located around evergreens equatorial forests.

In the north with equatorial forests borders the Guinea-Sudanese savannah, which stretches for 5,000 thousand kilometers from the West Banks Atlantic Ocean to the Eastern Shores Indian Ocean. From the Kenyan Tana River, the savanna extends into the southern parts of Africa to the Zambezi River valley, then, turning west for 2,500 kilometers, it runs all the way to the Atlantic coast.

Animal world

The African savanna is a completely unique phenomenon in terms of the diversity of large animals. At no other point globe you won't find such an abundance of wild animals.

Even at the end of the 19th century, nothing threatened the wild inhabitants of the savannas. But at the beginning of the 20th century, with the arrival of European colonialists who were armed firearms, mass shooting of herbivores began. The countless herds that roamed the vast expanses of the savanna of animals began to decline sharply. Their numbers have dropped to a minimum.

Compromise between economic activity humans and a unique diversity of animal life was found. And he was embodied in the creation of savannas on the territory national parks. There are numerous predators here: lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards. Herbivores include zebras, blue wildebeests, gazelles, impalas, and huge heavyweight elands. Among the rare antelopes you can find oryxes and inhabitants bush savanna kudu. Elephants and giraffes are a real decoration of the African savannas.

Vegetable world

The vegetation cover of these places is rich and varied. Savannah is located in the subequatorial zone; there is a rainy season for nine months, which contributes to the intensive growth of a wide variety of plants.

Baobab is a typical representative arboreal world. The trunk wood of this tree is saturated with moisture, which allows the Baobab to survive even during severe fires during the dry season. A variety of palm trees, mimosas, acacias, and thorny bushes also grow here.

The middle region with an abundance of large animals. This is how the savannah can be described. This biotope is located between wet and dry deserts. The transition from one to another gave the world grassy steppes with single trees or groups of them. Umbrella crowns are typical.

Life in savannas is characterized by seasonality. There is a rainy season and a dry season. The latter causes some animals to hibernate or burrow underground. This is the time when the savannah seems to calm down.

During the rainy season, under the influence of the tropics, the steppes, on the contrary, abound with manifestations of life and flourish. It is during the wet period that fauna representatives reproduce.

Animals of the African savannah

There are savannas on three continents. Biotopes are united by their location, openness of space, seasonality of climate and precipitation. Animals and plants separate savannas in different parts of the globe.

In the steppes of Africa there are many palm trees, mimosas, acacias and baobabs. Interspersed with tall grasses, they occupy almost half the area of ​​the mainland. Such space determines the richest fauna of the African savannas.

African buffalo

The largest recorded individual weighed 2 kilos less than a ton. The standard weight of an ungulate is 800 kilograms. The African one reaches 2 meters in length. Unlike its Indian counterpart, the animal was never domesticated. Therefore, African individuals are distinguished by their ferocity.

According to statistics, buffaloes killed more hunters than other animals of the continent's steppes. Like elephants, African ungulates remember offenders. Buffaloes attack them even after years, remembering that people once attempted to kill them.

The strength of a buffalo is 4 times greater than that of a bull. The fact was established when checking the draft power of animals. It becomes clear how easily a buffalo can kill a person. In 2012, for example, an African ungulate killed Owain Lewis. He owned a safari in Zambezia. For three days the man tracked the wounded animal. Having outwitted the man, the buffalo ambushed him.

In a herd of buffaloes, the males rule and protect the cubs and females.

Greater Kudu

This is a horned antelope, 2 meters long and weighing 300 kilograms. The height of the animal is 150 centimeters. Among the antelopes, this is one of the largest. Externally, it is distinguished by spiral-shaped horns. Brown coat with transverse white stripes on the sides and light markings extending from the center of the muzzle to the eyes.

Despite their size, kudu are excellent jumpers, over 3-meter obstacles. However, the African antelope is not always able to escape from hunters and predators. Having rushed at a speed of several hundred meters, the kudu always stops to look around. This delay is enough for a fatal shot or bite.

Elephant

These are the largest animals among land animals. African ones are also the most aggressive. There is also an Indian subspecies. He, like the eastern buffalo, is domesticated. African elephants are not in the service of humans; they are larger than others, weighing 10 or even 12 tons.

There are 2 subspecies of elephants. One is forest. The second is called savannah, based on the place of residence. Steppe individuals are larger and have triangular-shaped ears. In forest elephants it is rounded.

The trunk of elephants replaces both the nose and the hand to put food in the mouth

Giraffe

Once upon a time, Africans made shields from giraffe skin, the animal’s cover was so durable and dense. Veterinarians in zoos are unable to give injections to sick animals. That's why we created special apparatus, literally shooting syringes. This is the only way to penetrate the skin of giraffes, and not everywhere. They aim at the chest. Here the cover is the thinnest and most delicate.

Standard height is 4.5 meters. The animal's stride is slightly shorter. It weighs approximately 800 kilograms. Wherein African savannah animals reach speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour.

Grant's Gazelle

The height itself is 75-90 centimeters. The horns of the animal are extended to 80 centimeters. The outgrowths are lyre-shaped and have a ring structure.

Grant's gazelle has learned to survive without water for weeks. The ungulate is content with crumbs of moisture from plants. Therefore, in times of drought, gazelles do not rush after zebras, wildebeests, and buffaloes. Grant's individuals remain in abandoned, desert lands. This protects the gazelles, because predators also follow the bulk of the ungulates to watering holes.

Rhinoceros

These animals living in the savannah, are the second largest land creatures, yielding the palm to elephants. The height of rhinoceroses is 2 meters, and the length is 5. The weight of the animals is 4 tons.

The African has 2 growths on the nose. The back one is underdeveloped, more like a bump. The anterior horn is complete. The outgrowths are used in fights for females. The rest of the time, rhinoceroses are peaceful. Animals feed exclusively on grass.

African ostrich

The largest among flightless birds, it weighs about 150 kilograms. One ostrich egg is equal in size to 25 chicken eggs of the first category.

In Africa they move in 3-meter steps. Birds cannot take off not only because of their weight. The animals have shortened wings, and the plumage resembles down, loose. This cannot resist air currents.

Zebra

For insects striped zebras resemble bees or some kind of poisonous hornets. That’s why you won’t see blood-sucking horses near African horses. The midge is afraid to approach zebras.

If a predator catches up, the horse runs away along a zigzag path. It looks like the movements of a hare. It doesn’t so much confuse its tracks as make it more difficult to catch itself. Throwing itself at its prey, the predator flops to the ground. The zebra is on the sidelines. The predator wastes time rearranging itself.

Animal life in the savannah gregarious. The leader is always the male. He moves ahead of the herd, bending his head to the ground.

Oryx

Otherwise called oryx. A large antelope gains weight up to 260 kilograms. At the same time, the height of the animal at the withers is 130-150 centimeters. Horns add height. They are longer than those of other antelopes, stretching out to a meter or more. Most oryx subspecies have straight and smooth horns. There is something like a mane on the oryx's neck. Starting from the middle of the tail, they grow long hair. This makes antelopes look like horses.

Blue wildebeest

Having eaten them in some pastures, they rush to others. At this time, the necessary herbs are restored first. Therefore, wildebeest lead a nomadic lifestyle.

The blue ungulate is named due to the color of its coat. In fact the color is grey. However, it casts blue. Wildebeest calves are rather beige, painted in warm colors.

The wildebeest is capable of dashing at speeds of 60 km/h

Leopard

These animals African savannah similar to cheetahs, but larger and not capable of record speeds. It is especially difficult for sick and old leopards. They are the ones who become cannibals. Man for wild beast- easy prey. It’s simply not possible to catch a friend.

Young and healthy are not only capable of killing a frisky and cautious animal. Wild cats they harvest carcasses that are twice their weight. Leopards manage to drag this mass into the trees. There, the meat is out of reach of jackals and others who want to profit from someone else's prey.

Warthog

Being a pig, it dies without grass. It forms the basis of the animal's diet. Therefore, the first individuals brought to zoos died. The pets were fed the same as ordinary wild boars and domestic pigs.

When the diet of warthogs was revised to include at least 50% plants, the animals began to feel good and live on average 8 years longer than in wildlife.

Sharp fangs protrude from the warthog's mouth. Their standard length is 30 centimeters. Sometimes the fangs are twice as large. Having such a weapon, warthogs protect themselves from predators, but do not use it in fights with relatives. This indicates the organization of the herds and careful attitude to other pigs.

a lion

Among the cats, he is the tallest and most massive. The weight of some individuals reaches 400 kilograms. Part of the weight is the mane. The length of the hair in it reaches 45 centimeters. At the same time, the mane can be dark and light. Owners of the latter, who are genetically less wealthy in male terms, have a more difficult time leaving offspring. However, dark-maned individuals do not tolerate heat well. Therefore, natural selection “leaned” towards the average.

Some lions lead a solitary life. However, most cats unite in prides. There are always several females in them. There is usually only one male in a pride. Sometimes there are families with several males.

Lions' vision is many times sharper than that of humans.

Horned Raven

Refers to the hoopoe-like hornbills. There is a protrusion above the beak. It, like the plumage, is black. However, the African Crow has bare skin around its eyes and neck. It is wrinkled, red, and forms into a goiter.

Unlike many hornbills, the African crow is a predator. The bird hunts snakes, mice, and lizards, throwing them into the air and killing them with a blow from its powerful, long beak. Together with it, the length of the raven's body is approximately a meter. The bird weighs about 5 kilograms.

Crocodile

Among crocodiles, the African is the largest. About savannah animals they are said to reach 9 meters in length, weighing about 2 tons. However, the officially registered record is only 640 centimeters and 1,500 kilograms. Only males can weigh this much. Females of the species are about a third smaller.

African skin is equipped with receptors that determine the composition of water, pressure, and temperature changes. Poachers are interested in the quality of the reptile's cover. The skin of African individuals is famous for its density, relief, and durability.

Guinea fowl

It has taken root on many continents, but is native to Africa. Externally, the bird is similar to a turkey. It is believed that the latter originated from the guinea fowl. Hence the conclusion: African poultry also has dietary and tasty meat.

Like the turkey, the guinea fowl is a large galliform. The bird weighs 1.5-2 kilograms. In the savannas of Africa, guinea fowl are found. In general, there are 7 types of them.

Hyena

They live in packs. Alone, animals are cowardly, but together with their relatives they even go after lions, taking their prey. The leader leads the hyenas into battle. He holds his tail higher than other relatives. The most powerless hyenas almost drag their tails along the ground.

The leader of a pack of hyenas is usually the female. The inhabitants of the savannas have a matriarchy. Females are rightfully respected, since among predators they are recognized as the best mothers. Hyenas feed their cubs milk for almost 2 years. Females are the first to let their children approach the prey, and only then do they allow males to approach.

Animals of the American Savannas

American savannas are primarily grasslands. There are also a lot of cacti there. This is understandable, because steppe expanses are typical only for the southern continent. Savannahs are usually called pampas here. Querbacho grows in them. This tree is famous for the density and strength of the wood.

Jaguar

In America, he is the largest cat. The length of the animal reaches 190 centimeters. The average one weighs about 100 kilograms.

Among cats, the jaguar is the only one that cannot roar. This applies to all 9 species of predator. Some of them live in Northern. Other - savannah animals South America .

Maned wolf

More like a long-legged fox. The animal is red, with a sharp muzzle. Genetically, the species is transitional. Accordingly, the “link” between wolves and foxes is a relic that has managed to survive millions of years. You can meet a maned wolf only in the pampas.

The height of the mane at the withers is about 90 centimeters. The predator weighs approximately 20 kilograms. Transitional features can be seen literally in the eyes. With a seemingly fox-like face, they are wolf-like. Red cheaters have vertical pupils, while wolves have normal pupils.

Puma

Can "argue" with a jaguar, what animals are in the savannah America is the fastest. picks up speed at 70 kilometers per hour. Representatives of the species are born spotted, like jaguars. However, as they mature, cougars “lose” their markings.

When hunting, cougars overtake victims in 82% of cases. Therefore, when faced with a one-color cat, herbivores shake like an aspen leaf, even though there are no aspens in the savannas of America.

Armadillo

It has a scaly shell, which makes it stand out among other mammals. Among them, the armadillo is considered inferior. Accordingly, the animal roamed the planet millions of years ago. Scientists believe that it was not only their shell that helped armadillos survive, but also their pickiness in food. Savannah inhabitants feed on worms, ants, termites, snakes, and plants.

When hunting snakes, they press them to the ground, cutting them with the sharp edges of the plates of their shell. By the way, it folds into a ball. This is how armadillos escape from offenders.

Vizcacha

This is a large South American rodent. The length of the animal reaches 60 centimeters. Vizcacha weighs 6-7 kilograms. The animal looks like a large mouse-rat hybrid. The color is gray with a white belly. There are also light marks on the rodent's cheeks.

South American rodents live in families of 2-3 dozen individuals. They hide from predators in holes. The passages are distinguished by wide “doors” of about a meter.

Ocelot

This is a small spotted cat. The length of the animal is not more than a meter, weighs 10-18 kilograms. Most ocelots live in the southern tropics. However, some individuals settle in the pampas, finding areas with trees.

Like other cats of the South American savannas, they lead a solitary lifestyle. Cats meet with their relatives only for mating.

Nandu

It is called the American ostrich. However, the overseas bird belongs to the order of rheas. All birds entering it call “nan-doo” during mating. Hence the name of the animal.

Animal world savannah Rheas are decorated in groups of about 30 individuals. Males in families are responsible for building the nest and caring for the chicks. The “houses” are being built in different “corners” of the savannah.

Females move from nest to nest, mating with all the males in turn. The ladies also lay their eggs in different “houses”. One nest can accumulate up to 8 dozen capsules from different females.

Tuco-tuco

“Tuko-tuko” is the sound made by the animal. His small eyes are “turned up” almost onto his forehead, and his small rodent ears are buried in the fur. Otherwise, the tuco-tuco is similar to a bush rat.

The tuco-tuco is somewhat more massive than the bush rat and has a shorter neck. The animals do not exceed 11 centimeters in length and weigh up to 700 grams.

Animals of the Australian savannah

For Australian savannas typically woodland of eucalyptus. Also in the steppes of the continent grow casuarinas, acacias and bottle trees. The latter have expanded, like blood vessels, trunks. Plants store moisture in them.

Dozens of relict animals roam among the greenery. They make up 90% of Australia's fauna. The continent was the first to separate from the single continent of antiquity Gondwana, isolating the bizarre animals.

Ostrich Emu

Like the South American rhea, it is not related to ostriches, although it is similar in appearance to Africans. In addition, the flightless birds of Africa are aggressive and shy. They are curious, friendly, and easy to tame. Therefore, they prefer to breed Australian birds on ostrich farms. So it’s difficult to buy a real ostrich egg.

Being a little smaller African ostrich, the emu takes 270 cm steps. The speed developed by the Australians is 55 kilometers per hour.

Dragon of Komodo Island

The large reptile was discovered in the 20th century. Having learned about a new species of lizards, the Chinese, obsessed with the cult of the dragon, flocked to Komodo. They mistook the new animals for fire-breathing animals, and began killing them to make magical potions from the bones, blood, and sinews of dragons.

The farmers who settled the land were also destroyed from Komodo Island. Large reptiles attempted to kill domestic goats and pigs. However, in the 21st century, dragons are protected and are listed in the International Red Book.

Wombat

It looks like a small bear cub, but in fact it is a marsupial. A wombat is one meter long and can weigh up to 45 kilos. With such a mass and compactness, the bear cub looks short-legged, however, it is capable of reaching a speed of 40 kilometers per hour.

It not only runs briskly, but also digs holes in which it lives. The underground passages and halls are spacious and can easily accommodate an adult.

Ant-eater

Long and narrow muzzle. Even longer tongue. Lack of teeth. This is how the anteater adapted to extract termites. The animal also has a long and prehensile tail. With its help, the anteater climbs trees. The tail serves as a rudder and grabs branches when jumping.

It clings to the bark with long, powerful claws. Even jaguars are afraid of them. When a 2-meter ant stands on its hind legs, spreading its clawed front legs, the predators prefer to retreat.

Australian anteater called . There are subspecies living in Central America. Regardless of the continent where anteaters live, their body temperature is 32 degrees. This is the lowest rate among mammals.

Echidna

Outwardly it resembles a cross between a hedgehog and a porcupine. However, the echidna has no teeth and the animal’s mouth is very small. But, tropical savannah animals stand out with a long tongue, competing with the anteater for food, that is, termites.

Lower mammal is monotreme, that is, the reproductive tract and intestines are connected. This is the structure of some of the first mammals on Earth. have existed for 180 million years.

Lizard Moloch

The reptile's appearance is Martian. The lizard is painted in yellow-brick tones, covered in pointed growths. The reptile's eyes are like stone. Meanwhile, these are not guests from Mars, but Savannah animals.

The indigenous Australians nicknamed Moloch the Horned Devils. In the old days, human sacrifices were made to the strange creature. In modern times, the lizard itself can become the victim. It is included in the Red Book.

The lizard reaches 25 centimeters in length. In moments of danger, the lizard appears larger because it can swell. If someone tries to attack Moloch, turn the reptile over, its spines cling to the soil surrounding the plants.

Dingo dog

He is not a native of Australia, although he is associated with it. The animal is considered a descendant of feral dogs brought to the continent by immigrants from Southeast Asia. They arrived in Australia about 45 thousand years ago.

The dogs that escaped from the Asians chose not to seek shelter from humans anymore. There was not a single large placental predator in the vastness of the continent. Foreign dogs have filled this niche.

They are usually about 60 centimeters tall and weigh up to 19 kilograms. Body type wild dog resembles a hound. At the same time, males are larger and denser than females.

Opossum

On its tail there is a tassel of wool, like a jerboa. The pompom's hairs are black, like the rest of the marsupial's cover. Having been born as such, it is better to be a female. Males die after the first mating. Females do not kill partners like praying mantises, this is simply the life cycle of males.

Savannah animals of Australia climb trees standing in the steppes. Tenacious claws help. At higher elevations, the rat catches birds, lizards, and insects. Sometimes the marsupial encroaches on small mammals, fortunately, the dimensions allow.

Marsupial mole

Deprived of eyes and ears. The incisors protrude from the mouth. The paws have long, spade-shaped claws. This is what a marsupial mole looks like at first glance. In fact, the animal has eyes, but they are tiny, hidden in the fur.

Marsupial moles are miniature, not exceeding 20 centimeters in length. However, the dense body underground inhabitants Savannah can weigh about one and a half kilograms.

Kangaroo

The choice of a partner in a population is somewhat similar to human interests. Female kangaroos choose beefier males. Therefore, males take poses similar to those shown by bodybuilders at performances. By flexing their muscles, kangaroos assert themselves and look for their chosen ones.

Although it is a symbol of Australia, some individuals end up on the tables of its residents. As a rule, it feeds on marsupial meat indigenous people continent. Colonizers disdain kangaroo meat. But tourists are showing interest in it. How can you visit Australia and not try an exotic dish?

Australia's savannas are the greenest. The most dry steppes are the steppes of Africa. Middle option - American savannah. Due to anthropogenic factors, their areas are shrinking, depriving many animals of places to live. In Africa, for example, many animals live within national parks and are almost exterminated outside their “fences.”

Animals of Africa in photographs (17 photos)
Report on animals of Africa for children.

AFRICA- a vast continent located on both sides of the equator. There is a wide variety of natural landscapes: deserts, savannas, rainforests, where animals live, many of which are not found on other continents. They occur in Africa large rivers, there are a lot of marshy swamps and large lakes. Animals and birds quench their thirst in reservoirs; This is where they feed and hunt for prey.

Part of the African continent is occupied savannah, sprouted with grass, often faded by the sun, and small shrubs. There are almost no trees here, only thick baobabs and acacias with umbrella-shaped branches grow. At the end of spring the rainy season begins; It is at this time that vegetation develops rapidly. In some places, ponds even form where various animals come to swim, individually or in groups.

Pink flamingo
Colonies pink flamingos inhabit the shores of the great African lakes. These large birds, members of the order Anidae, scoop up water with their beaks and filter out edible algae. The pigment contained in these algae gives birds such a bright color to their plumage.
Before taking off, flamingos stretch their necks forward and run up; they all take off from the ground together, rushing in the same direction.

Zebras
Zebras have stripes not only on their bodies, but even on their manes, tails and skin. Only the tips of the muzzle and tail are black. However, there are no identical zebras - each of them has its own black and white pattern. This coloring helps zebras hide, because they worst enemies– lions and panthers – always on the alert!

Giraffe
A giraffe with its long neck is no less tall than a two-story house. With such a height, it is not difficult for him to detect an approaching lion from afar. Long neck helps the animal pluck the succulent foliage of tall acacias. But to get a drink, the giraffe has a hard time: he needs to spread his front legs and bend his neck strongly - only then will he be able to reach the water.

African crocodile
A crocodile is a large freshwater reptile, or reptile. And also very dangerous. A seemingly sleepy crocodile rushes at its victim like lightning. The female lays eggs on the shore and carries the hatched young in her mouth.
When the crocodile cubs are too playful, the mother calms them down by throwing them up.

Lion and lioness
The lion is the largest feline in Africa. This king of beasts is not afraid of anyone. Its roar can be heard for many kilometers around. Surprisingly, it is not lions who hunt, but lionesses. At one time, a lion eats over 10 kg of meat.

Eagle-Fisherman
The fisher's eagle has a large, hooked beak and strong talons. This predator has excellent eyesight: it can easily spot a fish swimming underwater. Then he rushes down and grabs the prey, sometimes without even getting his feathers wet. And the little eaglets, who are not yet able to fish on their own, are patiently waiting for their father in a nest located on the top of an acacia tree.

Rhinoceroses
Rhinos are not very friendly. These animals are easily recognized by their two horns - large and small. After eating, the rhinoceros rests somewhere in the shade, hiding from the scorching sun. He also likes to roll in the mud - this is how the animal protects itself from the bites of annoying insects.

Cheetah
The cheetah is a big fan of antelopes. He is not as strong as a panther, but he is a great runner. This is the fastest mammal on the planet: the cheetah reaches speeds of up to 100 km/h.

African elephant
The elephant is the largest animal of all living on land. It can weigh 6 tons. An elephant's tusks grow throughout its life. ears African elephant much larger than the Asian one, and are also used for fanning. However, the most important thing is the trunk: with its trunk, the elephant collects water for drinking, pours water over its body from the shower, nibbles grass, and plucks leaves from tall trees.

Antelope Kudu
Kudu is one of the antelopes that live in the vast savannah. Always before running away from the enemy, these antelopes make impressive jumps.

Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus (or hippopotamus) translated means “river horse.” And this is true: the hippopotamus spends almost all its time in a lake or river. Often the animal is completely submerged, and only the nostrils and eyes remain visible on the surface. Sometimes the hippopotamus opens its mouth and reveals its menacing fangs. This huge mammal, weighing over three tons, can cross the river bottom and hold its breath for more than 3 minutes.

Buffaloes
Buffaloes are strong African bulls that live in the tropics, near bodies of water. They were nicknamed “Viking helmet” because of their large curved horns.
Buffaloes stand in water for hours or even bathe in mud - this is how they get rid of annoying mosquitoes and other biting insects.

Panther (leopard)
The panther, or leopard, is a solitary predator that is excellent at climbing trees. It is while sitting on a tree that the panther loves to lie in wait for prey. Often, after a successful hunt, a predator drags its prey up a tree, away from numerous voracious thieves.

Baboons
Baboons live in families and constantly wander from place to place in search of food: plants, insects, birds and even young gazelles. At night, while sleeping, baboons climb high into a tree so that the panther cannot detect them. Sensing danger, baboons hiss and expose their large fangs.

MADAGASCAR ISLAND, located east of Africa, is home to amazing animals that are very similar to monkeys. These animals are called lemurs.

Lemur Indri
Indri is the noisiest and largest of all lemurs. He rarely leaves the trees, where he jumps from branch to branch. Sometimes the lemur jumps 10 meters to get a flower, fruit or succulent shoot. And his tail is one of the smallest.

Ring-tailed lemur
The ring-tailed lemur is easily recognized by its long striped tail. Noticing danger, the lemur swings its tail, emitting bad smell, and often scares off the enemy.

Lemur Rukonozhka Aue-aue

Lemur Rukonozhka Aue-aue. His tail is like a squirrel's, and his eyes are round, like beads. The animal feeds on insects and their larvae, as well as fruits.

Photo:
Baboons by Rich Lewis :)
Buffaloes by BeechcraftMUC
Zebras by vixs pixs
Giraffe by Fran Caley
Hippopotamus by Fran Caley
Chameleon by cowyeow
Elephant by ruejj123
Leo by ruejj123
Rhinoceros by ruejj123
Pink flamingo by athena113
Eagle by Martha de Jong-Lantink
Ring-tailed lemur by Grant and Caroline’s pix

There are ten different natural zones on earth and one of them is the savannah zone. The most famous is the African savannah. Here you will find photos, and interesting video about those who live in the savannah. See: “famous animals and plants of the savannas of Africa”, as well as about such climate features of this natural zone as the rainy season and the dry season.

Well, now let's talk about everything in order. The Earth has 10 different biomes - biological systems with specific species of plants and animals that live in their own climate region. One of these biomes is the tropical savanna. This climate community extends throughout southern hemisphere, in particular in East Africa, in southern Brazil and northern Australia. Tropical savannas often transition into deserts or tropical dry forests, and can also be found in tropical grasslands.

Temperature and climate of savannas. Tropical savanna biomes have two clearly defined seasons. As a rule, they are called the “winter” season and the “summer” season. These seasons are not accompanied by extreme rises and falls in temperature and are associated with seasonal differences. In fact, all tropical savannas are located in warm or hot climatic zones, predominantly in latitudes from 5 to 10 and from 15 to 20. Annual temperatures range from 18 degrees to 32 degrees. The increase in temperature usually occurs very gradually.

Diorama “Africa” (photo by S. V. Leonov). Most people associate the word “Africa” primarily with the African savannah.

Winter is the dry season. Winter is the dry season in the biome tropical savannah. This season usually lasts from November to April. During this season, savannas typically receive an average of only four inches of rainfall. During most of this time, usually from December to February, there may be absolutely no rain in the savannahs. This is usually the coolest time of the year. average temperature- about 21 degrees. The dry season is usually heralded by severe thunderstorms in October and subsequent strong winds that dry out the air and bring dry air masses. During January, at the height of the dry season, fires often occur in the savannahs.

The dry season is the period of great migrations.

Summer is the rainy season. The hot humidity of the rainy seasons in the savannas influenced the fact that this natural area began to be classified as tropical. Heavy rains start in May or June. From May to October, the savannas receive the most rainfall (10 to 30 inches). Wet air, rising from the ground, encounters a cold atmosphere and rain occurs. In summer, in the afternoon, heavy and numerous precipitation falls in the savannas. Plants and animals of the savanna have adapted to living in semi-aquatic conditions during this time, and the porous soil of the savanna helps rain drain quickly.

The rainy season is undoubtedly best time years in the savannah.

Everywhere you look, it’s pure idyll!

Here, I think, comments are unnecessary! The baby elephant definitely had a happy childhood.

Seasonal effects. During the summer rainy seasons, the savannah has dense and lush grasslands. Many of the biome's inhabitants breed at this time, since mother's milk depends on a variety of herbs. During the dry season, many animals migrate, while others continue to feed on the grasses of the savannah, and in turn are eaten by carnivores. Savanna plants, with deep roots, fire-resistant bark and systems for conducting water during long dry periods, are specially adapted to survive the dry season.

Giant baobabs on the island of Madagascar.

Savanna soils depend greatly on how long the rainy season is. Red-brown soils are typical for savannas. They form where the rainy season lasts less than 6 months. Closer to the equatorial forests, it rains for 7-9 months, and red ferrallitic soils predominate here. In lands close to deserts and semi-deserts, the rainy season can last only 2-3 months, and unproductive soils with a thin layer of humus are formed here.

Video film: “The fauna of the African savannah.” A series of films about nature.

Those who live in the savannah - brave people. Just look how hard it was for Bear Grylls here.

A few more photos: animals of the savannah.

African elephant.

This handsome guy's name is Marabou. They live only in Africa and thank God.

Savannah (African steppe) is a vast territory covered with rare forms of trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation, which belongs to the subequatorial region, which is marked by a pronounced division into dry and rainy seasons.

Description

The African steppe savanna is a typical example of a terrain, the image of which appears to most people when they mention this continent. The territory is dominated by rain evergreen forests and deserts, between which lies the beautiful, variable and wild savanna - a huge area overgrown with single trees and grass. Scientists have determined the approximate age of this natural phenomenon- about 5 million years. Consequently, it is considered the youngest zonal type of Africa.

Geographical position

The African steppe occupies almost 40% of the continent's area. It is located around equatorial evergreen forests.

The Guinea-Sudanese savannah in the north borders on equatorial forests, stretching for 5000 km from east coast Indian Ocean to the western coast of the Atlantic Ocean. From r. Tana savanna extends to the river valley. Zambezi, then, turning 2500 km to the west, passes to the Atlantic coast.

Weather dependent

The African steppe savanna is directly dependent on the weather, whose vagaries here are felt very strongly by representatives of the flora and fauna. Dry seasons here are not like others. Nature must adapt every year to the changes that come with the climate. Only one thing is inevitable - in each such period the savannah loses vitality, brightness, juices, turning into a sea of ​​sultry despondency and withered grass. With the arrival of the rainy season, changes in the landscape begin so rapidly that in just a couple of days nature becomes completely unrecognizable. If you compare images of the savannah before the rainy season and after a week of heavy rainfall, it will not be easy to find their similarities.

Flora of the savannah

On the black continent, typical savannah plants are all kinds of acacias, oilseeds, baobabs, lophyra lanceolata, grass, anisophylls, and various cereal grasses. By the way, the latter have adapted better than others to the conditions of regular changes in humidity and temperature conditions. After all, if during a period of drought, xerophytic trees can simply shed their leaves and stand in this form, waiting for a new one wet season, then it is much more difficult for herbs to survive. Although nature was able to take care of preserving the viability of the savannah grass cover. The leaves of cereal representatives of the African flora are hairy, narrow, very hard and have a waxy, persistent coating that retains moisture in the cells.

Wildlife of the savannah

Many people are surprised and interested in the African steppe savannah. Animals live in huge numbers in its vastness. They got here due to natural migration phenomena that are associated with changes in temperature on Earth. At some point, millions of years ago, the continent was completely covered with rain forests, only the climate gradually became drier, due to which huge parts of the forest disappeared, and in their place were fields that were overgrown with grassy vegetation and open woodlands. This, in turn, led to the emergence of various new species of animals that searched for good conditions for food.

Thus, the African steppe developed. Giraffes from the jungle were the first to come here, followed by elephants, all kinds of antelopes and other herbivores. Following them, according to the law of nature, predators began to populate the savanna: servals, lions, jackals, cheetahs and others. And since an incredible number of worms and insects live in the soil and grass of the savanna, the fauna was replenished with all kinds of representatives of birds that flew to Africa from different corners peace. In this place, among the birds you can see red-billed quilli, storks, vultures, marabou, horned crows, vultures, etc. There are also many lizards, crocodiles and snakes.

Life in times of drought

During drought, large animals try to stay near a watering hole, but due to strong competition during this period, the struggle for survival becomes more fierce, which is different from the African steppe (savanna), photos of which are presented in this article. Small ones that are not capable of long movements in search of food and water hibernate throughout the summer.

The African steppe is a place of unique ecosystems and diametrically opposed landscapes. Here, a serious struggle for survival is in absolute harmony with the amazing beauty of nature, while the richness of flora and fauna - with a real African flavor, as well as a surprisingly attractive exoticism.