The middle region with an abundance of large animals. This is how the savannah can be characterized. 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. What unites biotopes is 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, according to 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. Therefore, they created a special device that literally shoots 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, second only 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

To insects, zebra stripes resemble bees or some kind of poisonous hornet. 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 other antelopes, stretching out to a meter or more. Most oryx subspecies have straight and smooth horns. The oryx has a kind of mane on its neck. Starting from the middle of the tail, long hair grows. 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 African savannah animals 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. A man is an easy prey for a wild animal. 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 produce 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 warthogs' diet was revised to include at least 50% plants, the animals began to feel good and live on average 8 years longer than in the wild.

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 an organized herd and a caring attitude towards 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 - animals of the savannas of 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 animal is no more than a meter long and 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.

Wildlife of the 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

Australian savannas are typically characterized by open woodlands of eucalyptus trees. Casuarinas, acacias and bottle trees also grow in the steppes of the continent. 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 easily tamed. Therefore, they prefer to breed Australian birds on ostrich farms. So it’s difficult to buy a real ostrich egg.

Slightly smaller than the African ostrich, the emu takes 270cm strides. 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 attacked 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.

Not only does it run briskly, but it 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.

The Australian anteater is 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.

The 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. The physique of a 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, its size allows it.

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 of underground savannah inhabitants 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, the indigenous population of the continent eats marsupial meat. 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. The middle option is the American savanna. 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.”

Savannahs have a unique and harsh climate. Twice a year the rainy season occurs for several months, preceded by several months of drought.

Then many animals die, and it is especially difficult for herbivores. But antelopes, zebras and giraffes are accustomed to covering considerable distances and constantly roam from watering hole to watering hole.

In the savannah, every living thing or plant depends on each other.

Herbivores eat plants, predators (lions, cheetahs, etc.) eat herbivores, hyenas and vultures eat the remains of large predators, and numerous termites process the remains of plants.

Savannas contain the largest number of large animals in one place.

After all, only strong and hardy animals can survive a period of drought, at the end of which large-scale fires often occur.

Many plants grow in savannas, and there are even some shrubs and trees.

The baobab tree has adapted best to climatic conditions - its roots feed on moisture from the deep layers of the soil, and the bark is very thick and durable, and therefore the tree is the easiest to recover after a fire.

In the territory of modern savannas, where there are no reserves, there are few wild animals left - they are often hunted.

Therefore, to preserve endangered species, reserves were created in which animals are forced to live in a limited space, but in an environment familiar to them.

Almost a hundred years have passed since the death of Mata Hari, and the fate of this legendary woman still holds many secrets... Mata Hari's real name is Margaret Gertrude Zelle. Mata Hari is the pseudonym under which a beautiful woman worked for...

Every day, reading a poem, a story, a fairy tale, showing pictures, the mother introduces the child to the diverse animal world! This is an elephant - it is big, and the tallest is a giraffe, a very beautiful bird, a parrot, can learn up to a hundred words.

To stories about animals have become more diverse and interesting, so that a child can not only distinguish a panther from a domestic cat, but also create interesting stories about the unusual capabilities of animals and thereby amaze peers and teachers, the administration of the “Your Child” website will introduce you to the animals of our planet for several months. Every week a new topic of the series of stories “Interesting about animals” will be published. The articles will contain interesting information about the animal world, interesting facts about animals.

/ Animals of the Arctic

ARCTIC ICE

It seems incredible that where the temperature does not rise above - 10 o C, Arctic animals can live and reproduce. And yet, even the coldest and most inhospitable parts of the Earth are inhabited. The fact is that some animals have adapted in a special way to retain their own body heat. For example, the body of penguins under their plumage is thickly covered with warm down, and the skin of polar bears is very thick and waterproof. In addition, all polar animals have a dense layer of fat under their skin.

Life for animals in Antarctica is possible only on the coast. The interior of the continent is uninhabited.

Polar bear.

At the end of autumn, a female polar bear digs a den in the snow. In December - January, as a rule, two bear cubs are born, but only in the spring will they leave the den for the first time.

A polar bear cub is born very small, blind, deaf and completely defenseless. Therefore, he lives with his mother for two years. The skin of this bear is very dense, waterproof and absolutely white, thanks to which it easily finds shelter among the whiteness of the surrounding ice. He swims remarkably well - this is facilitated by the membrane that connects the pads of his paws. The polar bear is the largest predator in the world.

A polar bear usually weighs between 150 and 500 kilograms. The mass of some representatives exceeds 700 kilograms.

Pinnipeds.

Various species of pinnipeds live on the cold land and endless ice floes drifting in the Arctic; these include fur seals, seals and walruses. By origin, these are terrestrial animals that have mastered the marine environment: in the course of evolution, their body has adapted to life in water. Unlike cetaceans, pinnipeds were only partially modified by this adaptation. So the front paws of fur seals turned into flippers, on which they can lean on land to raise the upper body; seals learned to move on the ground by crawling on their bellies.

Pinnipeds have huge nostrils, and in a short time they can inhale the amount of air needed to stay underwater for about 10 minutes.

Pinnipeds feed not only on fish, but also on crustaceans, mollusks and krill, which consists of tiny shrimp.

Fur seal similar to a sea lion, but has a thicker skin and a shorter and sharper snout. The male is much larger than the female and can weigh four times as much.

Sea Elephant. The largest pinniped species in the world: the weight of a male can reach 3,500 kilograms. It is easily distinguished from the female by the swelling on its head, similar to a short trunk, from which it gets its name.

Sea leopard. With its spotted skin, this seal resembles the predator of the cat family, from which it borrowed its name. The leopard seal is very aggressive and can sometimes even eat a fellow seal if it is smaller.

Walrus.

This long-tusked mammal lives in the Arctic seas, making short seasonal migrations. A male walrus is huge: it can weigh 1,500 kilograms, while a female's weight rarely reaches 1,000 kilograms. The walrus has a massive, wrinkled body covered with sparse bristles.

The strong voice of the walrus resembles both the roar of a lion and the lowing of a bull; while sleeping, on ice or in water, he snores loudly. He can relax for hours, lounging in the sun. The walrus is irritable and obstinate, but he will not be slow to come to the aid of his brother who is being attacked by hunters.

Long tusks are indispensable in the life of a walrus: he uses them to defend himself from enemies and to drill into the seabed; With the help of tusks, the walrus climbs onto the shore and moves along the ice floe or ground. The length of the fangs of larger representatives reaches one meter!

Little walruses are nursed by their mother for two years, and for the next two years they remain under her protection.

Under the skin of the walrus there is a thick layer of fat, which serves as both protection from the cold and a reserve reserve in case of hunger.

Penguins.

Penguins- these are birds, but their wings are not suitable for flight: they are too short. With the help of wings, penguins swim, like fish with the help of fins. Penguins are found only in the southern hemisphere. They live in large colonies on land, but some species can make long migrations in the open sea.

As a rule, penguins lay only one egg. Baby penguins find refuge from the cold in the lower folds of their parent's abdomen. The plumage of penguin chicks is usually dark brown; over time, they acquire the characteristic black and white coloration of adults.

Emperor penguin colonies sometimes number 300 thousand individuals.

/ Interesting facts about animals of savannas and prairies

Among the grasses of the savannah. In the savannah there are periods of drought when there is a shortage of food. Then numerous herds of animals go in search of more favorable conditions. These migrations can last for weeks, and only the hardiest animals manage to reach their goal. The weaker ones are doomed to die.

The savannah climate favors the growth of tall and lush grass. Trees, on the contrary, are rare here.

The baobab is not a very tall tree, but its trunk diameter can reach 8 meters.

Buffalo.

The African buffalo, along with the hippopotamus, is considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Indeed, if a buffalo is wounded or feels danger to itself or its cubs, it does not hesitate to attack the aggressor and kill him with its powerful horns. Even the lion tries to avoid meeting him, as he is not sure of the outcome of the battle. Therefore, only buffaloes that have strayed from the herd, or old and sick animals that are unable to defend themselves, are attacked by predators.

Zebra.

The zebra skin is original and easily recognizable. At first glance, all zebras seem the same, but in fact, each animal has its own stripe pattern, like human fingerprints. Countless attempts have been made to domesticate zebras (domesticate them like horses), but they always end in failure. The zebra does not tolerate riders or other loads on its rump. She is very shy and difficult to approach even in nature reserves.

Zebras lack horns and other means of protection and flee from predators. Once surrounded, they defend themselves with their teeth and hooves.

How to spot predators? Zebras' vision is not very sharp, so they often graze next to other animals, such as giraffes or ostriches, which are able to notice the approach of predators earlier.

A pursued zebra can travel at speeds of 80 kilometers per hour, but not for long.

The stripes on a zebra's skin can be used to identify different types of zebra. The stripes on the croup are especially significant in this sense.

Leo prefers open spaces, where he finds coolness in the shade of rare trees. For hunting, it is better to have a wide view in order to notice herds of grazing herbivores from afar and develop a strategy on how best to approach them unnoticed. Outwardly, it is a lazy beast that dozes and sits around for a long time. Only when the lion is hungry and forced to pursue herds of herbivores or when he must defend his territory does he emerge from his stupor.

Lions do not hunt alone, unlike cheetahs and tigers. As a result, all members of the lion family live together for a long time and the grown lion cubs are not expelled from it, unless the conditions in the hunting territory become critical.

Usually a group of females goes hunting, but males rarely join them. The hunters surround the prey, hiding in the tall grass. When the animal notices the danger, it panics and tries to escape at a gallop, but more often than not it falls into the clutches of other hidden lionesses that it has not noticed.

A characteristic feature of a lion is a thick mane in males, which is not found in other representatives of the cat family.

A lioness usually gives birth to two cubs. To become adults, they need about two years - all this time they adopt the experience of their parents.

A lion's claws can reach 7 cm.

Giraffe.

In an effort to survive, all animals have evolved to provide their species with sufficient food. The giraffe can feed on tree leaves that other herbivores cannot reach: thanks to its six-meter height, it is taller than all other animals. A giraffe can take food from the ground, as well as drink water, but to do this, it must spread its front legs wide apart in order to bend over. In this position, he is very vulnerable to predators, because he cannot immediately rush to flight.

The giraffe has a very long, thin and soft tongue, adapted for plucking acacia leaves. The lips, especially the upper ones, also serve this purpose. The giraffe picks off leaves growing at a height of two to six meters.

The most favorite food of giraffes is tree leaves, especially acacia; its thorns apparently do not bother the animal.

Giraffes live in herds, divided into two groups: one with females and their young, and the other with males. To win the right to become leaders of the herd, males fight by striking their heads with their necks.

When running, the giraffe is not very fast or agile. When running away from an enemy, he can only count on a speed of 50 kilometers per hour.

Cheetah.

The cheetah's "secret weapon" is its flexible body with a strong spine, curved like the arch of a bridge, and powerful clawed paws that allow it to rest firmly on the ground. This is the fastest-footed animal of the African savannah. No one can imagine an animal running faster than a cheetah. In short moments, it reaches speeds of over 100 kilometers per hour, and if it didn’t get tired quickly, it would be the most feared predator in Africa.

The cheetah prefers to live in small groups of two to eight to nine individuals. Typically such a group consists of one family.

Unlike other members of the cat family, the cheetah's claws never retract, just like dogs. This feature allows the animal not to slip on the ground when running; Only the claw of the thumb does not touch the ground.

The cheetah climbs trees and surveys the savanna from above to discover herds of grazing herbivores that could become its prey.

The skin of a cheetah is not always covered with spots; sometimes they merge, forming stripes, like the king cheetah.

The long tail serves as a rudder - it can quickly change the direction of running, which is necessary when chasing a victim.

Elephant.

The African elephant was threatened with extinction both because of hunting, to which it became a victim at the beginning of the 20th century, since there was a great demand for ivory products (from tusks), and because of important changes made by man in its habitat. Now elephants live mainly in giant national parks, where they are studied by zoologists and protected by guards. Unfortunately, this is not enough to stop elephants from being killed by poachers. The situation is different with the Indian elephant, which has never been in danger because man has used it for various jobs for centuries.

The African elephant is different from the Indian elephant. It is larger, its ears are larger, and its tusks are much longer. In Southeast Asia, elephants are domesticated and used for various jobs. African elephants are resistant to domestication due to their more independent nature.

Like the giraffe, the elephant prefers to eat tree leaves, which it plucks from the branches with its trunk. It happens that he knocks down an entire tree to the ground to get food.

Tusks and trunks are two of the elephants' miraculous survival tools. The elephant uses its tusks to protect itself from predators and uses them during drought to dig up the ground in search of water. With a very mobile trunk, it picks off leaves and collects water, which it then puts into its mouth. The elephant loves water very much and, at the first opportunity, climbs into a pond to freshen up. He swims great.

The elephant willingly hides in the shade because its huge body has difficulty cooling down. Its huge ears serve this purpose, with which it rhythmically fans itself to cool itself.

Just as children hold their mother’s hand, so baby elephants walk holding the elephant’s tail with their proboscis.

Ostrich.

The natural environment in which the ostrich lives determined the final adaptability of this bird, the largest of all: the ostrich's mass exceeds 130 kilograms. The long neck increases the ostrich's height to two meters. A flexible neck and excellent vision allow him to notice danger from afar from this height. The long legs give the ostrich the ability to run at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour, usually fast enough to escape predators.

The ostrich prefers open spaces where it can see everything from afar and there are no obstacles for running.

Ostriches do not live alone, but in groups of varying numbers. While the birds are looking for food, at least one stands guard and looks around the area to spot enemies, primarily cheetahs and lions.

The ostrich's eyes are surrounded by long eyelashes, which protect them from both the African sun and dust raised by the wind.

Ostriches build a nest in a small depression, digging it in sandy soil and covering it with something soft. The female incubates the eggs during the day because her gray coloration blends well with her surroundings; the male, with predominantly black feathers, incubates at night.

Females lay from three to eight eggs in a common nest, and each of them takes turns incubating the eggs in turn. One egg weighs more than one and a half kilograms and has a very strong shell. Sometimes it takes a baby ostrich a whole day to break the shell and hatch from the egg.

The ostrich's beak is short, flat and very strong. It is not specialized for any particular food, but serves to pluck grass and other vegetation and grab insects, small mammals and snakes.

Rhinoceros.

This huge pachyderm lives in both Africa and South and Southeast Asia. There are two species of rhinoceroses in Africa, distinct from the Asian ones. African rhinoceroses have two horns and are adapted to habitats characterized by large spaces with very few trees. The Asian rhinoceros has only one horn and prefers to live in forest thickets. These animals are on the verge of extinction because they are ruthlessly hunted by poachers for their horns, which are in high demand in some countries.

Despite its mass, the African rhinoceros is very mobile and can make sharp turns while running.

A female rhinoceros usually gives birth to one calf every two to four years. The baby stays with his mother for a long time, even when he grows up and becomes independent. Within an hour, a newborn calf can follow its mother on its own legs; moreover, it usually walks either in front of her or on the side. It feeds on mother's milk for a year, and during this time its weight increases from 50 to 300 kilograms.

Male rhinoceroses, like many other animals, fight for the right to become the leader. At the same time, they use the horn as a stick, that is, they hit with the side, and not with the tip. It may happen that during a single combat the horn breaks, but then it grows back, albeit very slowly.

A rhinoceros's eyesight is poor; it sees only close up, like a nearsighted person. But he has the finest sense of smell and hearing; he can smell food or an enemy from afar.

Ro / Interesting facts about animals of the jungle and rainforest

In the Amazon forest.

Tropical forests are characterized by lush vegetation; under trees with tall trunks, despite the fact that their crowns let in little light, a dense undergrowth grows. It has high humidity - precipitation is frequent here and is conducive to the development of plants of any type. Such an environment is almost ideal for supporting the life of countless animals that find food there in abundance. Naturally, this environment is especially favorable for small and medium-sized animals, which, even more often, can move with dexterity.

Pelican.

This bizarre bird with a distinctive beak is found on all continents and, depending on its habitat, has slight differences in shape and size. Its most typical habitat is sea coasts and lakes. It feeds on aquatic animals, mainly fish. These birds fish in a special way at low tide. They gather in groups and beat the water together with their wings, scaring the fish and forcing it to swim towards the shore, where it is clearly visible and its maneuverability is difficult. The fish become easy prey for the pelicans; they fill their beaks with it, on the lower part of which there are expandable throat sacs. The prey is taken to the nest and calmly eaten there.

Pelican- a very large bird, reaching 1.8 meters in length, and its wingspan is up to 3 meters. In search of food they are able to dive to depths.

Pelicans- birds are social, live in numerous colonies, get food together and build nests.

The American white pelican lives most of the year in the southern United States, Mexico and Central America. During the breeding season, birds living in more northern areas move to the south, where the climate is milder and more favorable for the development of chicks. The plumage of pelicans is almost completely white, with only light yellow spots on the chest and wings.

The pelican's nest is a bulky structure made of reeds, dead wood and feathers. When adult birds bring food to the nest for their chicks, they pull it out with their beaks from the parents’ throats, already half-digested, which makes it easier for them to digest the food.

The female lays two or three bluish or yellowish eggs and incubates them for about 30 days. The chicks are born completely naked. The plumage grows over the next 10 days. The female is slightly smaller in size than the male.

Sloths so named for the extreme slowness of their movements, reminiscent of movements in slow motion filming. The constantly wet skin of sloths serves as a breeding ground for microscopic algae, which is why the animals' fur acquires a greenish tint, making them almost invisible among the foliage.

Jaguar.

An animal similar to a leopard, but larger; It is also distinguished by a special pattern on the skin: ring-shaped dark spots, inside of which there are smaller specks. Jaguars hunt alone and mainly on the ground, although they crawl well in trees and swim. Having caught prey, the predator usually hides it somewhere in a secret place and then eats it piece by piece.

Jaguars give birth to two or three young. Like all predators, they teach their growing kids to hunt.

Tapir.

The most common South American species is land tapir, lives near bodies of water. It swims well and can cross fairly wide rivers; Sometimes tapirs even dive to get the stems of aquatic plants that serve as food for them.

The dense foliage of the Amazon forest is home to a wide variety of wild birds. The red-brown hoatzin and the crested serima, whose legs are better suited for running than wings for flight, stroll here. Quezal builds a nest inside a termite mound and the termites do not cause him any disturbance. The eagle owl, a nocturnal predator with a long crest on its head, lives in the most impassable places, and therefore ornithologists have not yet been able to figure out its habits.
This tiny bird (size from 5.7 to 21.6 cm; weight from 1.6 to 20 g) with a long curved beak is capable of flapping its wings so often that it manages to hang almost motionless in the air, sucking nectar from a flower. This is the only bird in the world that can fly backwards.

Swordbeak Hummingbird. When fluttering, this bird makes more than 50 wing beats per second. So it can freeze motionless in the air or fly at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour. The swordbill's beak is very long and straight, whereas other hummingbirds have a curved beak.

g rhinoceros can reach a length of 1.5 meters.

Savannas are areas in which herbaceous vegetation predominates. Most of the African savanna is located in Africa, between 15° N. w. and 30° S. w. Savannas are located in countries such as: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Uganda , Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa.

The African savanna has two seasons: dry (winter) and rainy (summer).

• The dry winter season is longer, lasting from October to March in the Southern Hemisphere, and from April to September in the Northern Hemisphere. There is only about 100 mm of precipitation throughout the entire season.
• The rainy summer season (rainy season) is very different from the dry season and lasts a shorter amount of time. During the rainy season, the savanna receives between 380 and 635 mm of rain per month and the rain can last for hours without stopping.

Savanna is characterized by grasses and small or scattered trees that do not form a closed canopy (as in ), allowing sunlight to reach the ground. The African savanna contains a diverse community of organisms that interact to form a complex food web.

Healthy, balanced ecosystems are made up of many interacting systems called food webs. (lions, hyenas, leopards) feed on herbivores (impalas, warthogs, cattle), which consume producers (grasses, plant matter). Scavengers (hyenas, vultures) and decomposers (bacteria, fungi) destroy the remains of living organisms and make them available to producers. Humans are also part of the savanna biological community and often compete with other organisms for food.

Threats

This ecoregion has been significantly damaged by humans in many ways. For example, local residents use the land for grazing, as a result of which the grass dies and the savanna turns into a barren, deserted area. People use wood for cooking and create problems for the environment. Some also engage in poaching (hunting animals illegally), which leads to the extinction of many species.

To restore the damage caused and preserve the natural environment, some countries have created nature reserves. Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Nature Reserve are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The African savanna is one of the largest wild habitats in the world, covering almost half the continent's area, about 13 million km². If it were not for the efforts made by people to preserve the savanna, a large number of representatives of the flora and fauna of this corner of nature would have already become extinct.

Animals of the African savannah

Most savannah animals have long legs or wings that allow them to migrate long distances. Savannah is an ideal place for birds of prey such as hawks and buzzards. The wide open plain gives them a clear view of their prey, rising currents of hot air allow them to glide over the ground with ease, and sparse trees provide opportunities for resting or nesting.

The savanna has a great diversity of fauna: the African savanna is home to more than 40 different species of herbivores. Up to 16 different herbivorous species (those that eat tree leaves and grass) can coexist in one area. This is possible due to the own food preferences of each individual species: they can graze at different heights, at different times of the day or year, etc.

These various herbivores provide food for predators such as lions, jackals and hyenas. Each carnivorous species has its own preferences, allowing them to live in the same territory and not compete for food. All these animals depend on each other, occupy a certain place in the food chain and provide balance in the environment. Savannah animals are in constant search of food and water. Some of them are listed below:

African savannah elephant

The largest land mammal in the world. These animals grow up to 3.96 m at the withers and can weigh up to 10 tons, but most often have a size at the withers of up to 3.2 m and a weight of up to 6 tons. They have a long and very flexible trunk that ends in nostrils. The trunk is used to capture food and water and transfer it to the mouth. On the sides of the mouth there are two long teeth called tusks. Elephants have thick, gray skin that protects them from the deadly bites of predators.

This species of elephant is common in African savannas and grasslands. Elephants are herbivores and eat grasses, fruits, tree leaves, bark, shrubs, etc.

These animals have an important job on the savannas. They eat bushes and trees, and thereby help the grass grow. This allows many herbivorous animals to survive. Today there are about 150,000 elephants in the world and they are endangered because poachers kill them for their ivory.

wild dog

The African wild dog lives in the grasslands, savannas and open woodlands of eastern and southern Africa. The fur of this animal is short and colored in red, brown, black, yellow and white. Each individual has a unique coloring. Their ears are very large and rounded. Dogs have a short muzzle and have powerful jaws.

This species is perfectly suited for chasing. Like greyhounds, they have a slender body and long legs. The bones of the lower front legs are fused together, which prevents them from twisting when running. African wild dogs have large ears, which help conduct heat away from the animal's body. The short and wide muzzle has powerful muscles that allow it to grasp and hold prey. The multi-colored coat provides camouflage to the environment.

The African wild dog is a predator and feeds on medium-sized antelopes, gazelles, and other herbivores. They do not compete with hyenas and jackals for food, as they do not eat carrion. Humans are considered their only enemies.

Black Mamba

The black mamba is a highly venomous snake found in the savannas, rocky and open woodlands of Africa. Snakes of this species grow about 4 m in length and can reach speeds of up to 20 km/h. The black mamba is not actually black, but rather brownish-gray, with a light belly and brownish scales on its back. It got its name because of the purple-black color of the inside of its mouth.

Black mambas feed on small mammals and birds such as voles, rats, squirrels, mice, etc. A snake can bite a large animal and release it. She will then chase her prey until she is paralyzed. The mamba bites smaller animals and holds them, waiting for the toxic venom to take effect.

Black mambas are very nervous when a person approaches them and try to avoid it in any way. If this is not possible, the snake shows aggression by raising the front part of its body and opening its mouth wide. They quickly attack and inject their prey with their poison, and then crawl away. Before antivenoms were developed, a mamba bite was 100% fatal. However, to prevent death, the medicine should be administered immediately. They have no natural enemies and the main threat comes from habitat destruction.

Caracal

- a species of mammals from, widely distributed in the savannas of Africa. The body type is similar to a regular cat, but the caracal is larger and has larger ears. Its coat is short and the color varies from brown to reddish-gray, sometimes even becoming dark. His head is shaped like an inverted triangle. The ears are black on the outside and light on the inside, with tufts of black hair at the tips.

They are active at night, mainly hunting small mammals such as rabbits and porcupines, but sometimes large animals such as sheep, young antelope or deer become their victims. They have special skills for catching birds. Their strong legs allow them to jump high enough to actually knock down flying birds with their large paws. The main threat to caracals is people.

bear baboon

Bear baboons live mainly in the African savanna and high mountain grasslands. They never stray far from trees or water sources. This species is the largest in the genus of baboons; males can weigh 30-40 kg. They are very hairy animals with olive-gray fur.

Bear baboons do not live in trees; they spend most of their time on the ground. They can climb trees when threatened, for food or to rest. These mainly eat fruit from trees, roots and bugs. Baboons unintentionally feed other animals by throwing or leaving food behind for others to pick up.

Egyptian mongoose

The Egyptian mongoose is the largest of all mongooses in Africa. The animals are common in scrubland, rocky regions and small areas of savannah. Adults grow up to 60 cm in length (plus a 33-54 cm tail) and weigh 1.7-4 kg. Egyptian mongooses have long fur that is typically gray with brown dots.

They are primarily carnivores, but will also eat fruit if it is available in their habitat. Their typical diet consists of rodents, fish, birds, reptiles, insects and larvae. Egyptian mongooses also feed on the eggs of various animals. These representatives of the fauna can eat poisonous snakes. They hunt birds of prey and large carnivores of the savannah. Egyptian mongooses benefit the environment by killing animals (such as rats and snakes) that are considered pests to humans.

Grant's Zebra

Grant's zebra is a subspecies of Burchell's zebra and is widespread in the Serengeti Mara. Its height is about 140 cm and its weight is about 300 kg. This subspecies has rather short legs and a large head. Grant's zebra has black and white stripes all over its body, but its nose and hooves are completely black. Each individual has its own unique color.

The main predators of zebras are hyenas and lions. There are about 300,000 zebras left on the savanna and they are endangered.

a lion

They live in the African savannas south of the Sahara. They eat gazelles, buffalos, zebras and many other small and medium-sized mammals. Lions are the only cats that live in family packs called prides. Each pride includes from 4 to 40 individuals.

The coat color of these animals is ideal for camouflage with the environment. They have sharp, hooked claws that they can retract or extend at will. Lions have sharp teeth that are ideal for biting and chewing meat.

They play an important role for the survival of other animals. When this predator kills its prey and eats it, parts or pieces of the carcass are usually left behind for vultures and hyenas to consume.

Lions are quite interesting and graceful creatures that are interesting to watch, however they are endangered due to overhunting and habitat loss.

Nile crocodile

The Nile crocodile can grow up to five meters in length and is common in freshwater swamps, rivers, lakes and other watery places. These animals have long snouts that can capture fish and turtles. Body color is dark olive. They are considered the most intelligent reptiles on earth.

Crocodiles eat almost anything in the water, including fish, turtles or birds. They even eat buffalo, antelope, big cats, and sometimes people when given the chance.

Nile crocodiles skillfully camouflage themselves, leaving only their eyes and nostrils above the water. They also blend well with the color of the water, so for many animals that come to a pond to quench their thirst, these reptiles pose a mortal danger. This species is not endangered. They are not threatened by other animals except humans.

African savannah plants

This habitat is home to a huge variety of wild plants. Many representatives of the flora have adapted to grow during long periods of drought. Such plants have long roots that are able to reach water deep underground; thick bark that can withstand constant fires; trunks that accumulate moisture for use in winter.

Grasses have adaptations that prevent certain animals from eating them; some are too pungent or bitter for certain species, although more than acceptable for others. The advantage of this adaptation is that each animal species has something to eat. Different species may also consume specific plant parts.

There are many different plant species in the African savanna and below is a list of some of them:

Acacia Senegalese

Senegalese acacia is a small thorny tree from the legume family. It grows up to 6 m in height and has a trunk diameter of about 30 cm. The dried sap of this tree is gum arabic - a hard transparent resin. This resin is widely used in industry, cooking, watercolor painting, cosmetology, medicine, etc.

Many wild animals feed on the leaves and pods of the Senegalese acacia tree. Like other legumes, these trees store nitrogen and then add it to poor soils.

Baobab

Baobab is found in the savannas of Africa and India, mainly near the equator. It can grow up to 25 meters in height and live for several thousand years. During the rainy months, water is stored in the thick trunk, using roots up to 10 m long, and then used by the plant during the dry winter season.

Almost all parts of the tree are widely used by local residents. Baobab bark is used to make cloth and rope, the leaves are used as seasonings and medicines, and the fruit, called “monkey bread,” is eaten plain. Sometimes people live in the huge trunks of these trees, and representatives of the galagidae family (nocturnal primates) live in the crowns of the baobab tree.

Bermuda grass

This plant is also called pigweed palmate. Bermuda grass is widespread in warm climates from 45° N latitude. up to 45° S It gets its name from its introduction from Bermuda. Grass grows in open areas (pastures, open forests and gardens) where frequent disturbances to the ecosystem such as animal grazing, floods and fires occur.

Bermuda grass is a creeping plant that forms a dense mat when it touches the soil. It has a deep root system, and in drought conditions the roots can be located underground at a depth of 120-150 cm. The main part of the root is located at a depth of 60 cm.

Fingerweed is considered a highly invasive and competitive weed. Few herbicides are effective against it. Before the advent of mechanized farming, Bermuda grass was the worst weed for farmers. However, it saved a huge amount of agricultural land from erosion. This plant is very nutritious for cattle and sheep.

elephant grass

Elephant grass grows in the African savanna and reaches a height of 3 m. It is found along lakes and rivers where the soil is rich. Local farmers feed this grass to their animals.

The plant is highly invasive and clogs natural water flows, which must be cleared periodically. Elephant grass grows well in tropical climates and can be killed by a slight frost. The underground parts will remain alive unless the soil freezes.

This herb is used by local residents in cooking, agriculture, construction and as an ornamental plant.

Persimmon medlar

Loquat persimmon is widely distributed throughout the African savannah. It prefers wooded areas where there are termite mounds nearby, and is also found along river beds and marshy areas. In heavy soils, termite mounds provide the tree with aerated and moist soil. Termites do not eat living trees of this species.

This plant can reach 24 m in height, however most trees do not grow that tall, reaching a height of 4 to 6 m. The fruits of the tree are popular among many animals and local residents. They can be eaten fresh or canned. The fruits are also dried and ground into flour, and beer is also brewed from them. The leaves, bark and roots of the tree are widely used in traditional medicine.

Mongongo

The mongongo tree prefers hot and dry climates with little rainfall and is common in wooded hills and sand dunes. This plant reaches a length of 15-20 meters. It has many adaptations that allow it to live in arid environments, including a moisture-storing trunk, long roots, and thick bark.

This species is widespread throughout the southern savanna. The nuts of this tree are part of the daily diet of many Africans and are even used to obtain oil.

Combretum red-leaved

Combretum red-leaved prefers warm and dry climates and grows near rivers. The tree grows from 7 to 12 m in height and has a dense, expanding crown. The fruit is poisonous and causes severe bouts of hiccups. The tree has straight, long roots because it requires a lot of water to grow.

They feed on its leaves in the spring. Parts of this tree are used in medicine and the wood processing industry. Its good adaptability, fast growth, dense expanding crown, interesting fruit and attractive leaves make it a popular ornamental tree.

Acacia twisted

Acacia is a tree from the legume family. Its homeland is the African savanna Sahel, but the plant can also be found in the Middle East. It is known that the plant can grow in highly alkaline soil, and can withstand dry and hot environmental conditions. In addition, trees that reach two years of age have little frost resistance.

The wood of these trees is used in construction and furniture is made from it. Many wild animals feed on acacia leaves and pods. Parts of the tree are used by local people to make jewelry, weapons and tools, as well as in traditional medicine.

Acacia is important in restoring degraded drylands because the tree's roots fix nitrogen (an essential plant nutrient) in the soil through interaction with symbiotic nodule bacteria.

Acacia sickle-lobed

Acacia crescenta is commonly found in the savannas of equatorial East Africa, particularly the Serengeti Plain.

This acacia can grow about 5 m in height and has sharp thorns up to 8 cm long. The hollow thorns can be home to 4 species of ants, and they often make tiny holes in them. When the wind blows, the thorns thrown by the ants make a whistling sound.