By: Ashlie, Lexi, Caitlin, Abbey The Savannah By: Ashlie, Lexi, Caitlin, Abbey

Why Should You Visit The Savannah? The savanna makes up half the surface of Africa, large areas of Australia, South America, and India. The area receives between 9 and 39 inches of rain within a few months, followed by long periods of dry weather. The terrain consists of grasses and shrubs that provide habitats to hundreds of species of animals and birds. It is a famous destination for tourists, and can make a perfect vacation spot.

Plant Life Within The Savanna ~SENEGAL GUM ACACIA A small thorn tree of the African grassland. The acute tree may grow up to 20 meters tall. The leaves of this unique species are a greenish-grey color, while the flowers grow a yellow-cream color. These flowers grow on spikes located above the trees thorns. As their age progresses, seed pods begin to form.

~ BERMUDA GRASS Bermuda grass is one of the Savanna’s most sun absorbing plants. This species may be found in open areas where flooding and heat fires are most common. The plant begins as a soft brown color but, as it ages and the temperature increases, it becomes a pretty green color. These plants may be found hiding in pastures and woodlands.

~ELEPHANT GRASS Elephant grass is an extremely large species of grass, which originated in Africa. It can grow up to 10 feet tall in large clumps. This species enjoys the rich soil around lakes and rivers, which is where it can be found. Many locals use this plant as a source of nutrition for their animals.

~MANKETTI TREE The Manketti tree originates in the African Savanna. This species thrives off of hot and dry climates with little to no water. It prefers to grow on hills and sand dunes. The height of this tree may range from 49-66 ft. tall.

~ UMBRELLA THORN ACACIA The Umbrella Thorn Acacia is one of the most common and well-known species in the Savanna. It is housed on sand dunes and rocky terrains. They grow in areas with very little rainfall (about 4 cm.). This tree is able to survive in blazing temperatures during the day and freezing temperatures at night.

~ RIVER BUSHWILLOW The River Bushwillow sunbathes in a warm and dry climate. The plant may grow up to 30-35 ft. tall. Its branches are constantly growing and spread themselves in crazy directions, while keeping an upward stature. As it grows in this environment the plant must adapt. This species has developed a hydrophilic root system and thick bark to conserve energy and to inhibit forest fires.

African Elephant (Genus- Loxodonta) Largest land mammal in the world. Reaches 12 ft tall and up to 10,000 pounds in weight. Life expectancy is about 70 years. They die when their teeth or too dull to eat anything and starve to death. Elephants are herbivores and use their trunk to carry food and water to their mouths. Have two long teeth called tusks made of ivory. The leaders of a herd is always female. Baby elephants nurse up to three years. Elephants help the grass grow by eating the dead shrubs.

Savanna Lion (Genus- panthera) The powerhouse of the Savanna. Reaches up to 40 mph in speed. Weighs between 265-420 pounds. Feeds on other mammals. Lions have hooked claws that can extend at will and viciously sharp teeth for tearing meat apart. They migrate in groups called a “pride”, with 4-40 in each one. Male lions have manes which is ruff hair around their necks while females do not.

Grant’s Zebra (Genus- Equus) Zebras are the horses of the Savanna, and can reach up to 40 mph. They can weight up to 600 pounds being 50 in in height from shoulder to hoof Diet is mostly grasses. To protect themselves from predators they get in a huddle to use their strips to make it hard on the predator to single one zebra out. There is up to 17 members in a family but travel in herds twice that size.

African Wild Dog (Genus- Lycaon) Largest dog in Africa. Overall body length is 29-39 inches and stand between 23-30 inches at the shoulder. They are carnivores The wild dogs use their large ears to radiate heat away from their bodies. Female dogs give birth every 12-14 months. Life expectancy is about 10 years.

Black Mamba (Genus- Polylepis) Deadliest snake in the world. Reach up to 14 ft in length being mature at 3-4 ft, and can travel 12 mph. Mambas are active during the day and tend to sleep in hollow trees at night. Feeds on small mammals and birds, no animal can kill the black mamba because of their venom. Jaws can widen to fit small mammals whole.

Chacma Baboon (Genus- Papio) Largest member of the monkey family. Males weigh up to 97 pounds with length up to 30 inches. Females weigh up to 37 pounds and length of 24 inches. Tails are about 2 ft long. Has sharp upper canine teeth, tend to eat fruits, plants, and bugs. Baboons have cheak pouches to store food. Lives in groups called “troops” having one dominant male and female traveling up to 40 mph. Life expectancy is about 45 years.

Nile Crocodile

What's it like in the Savanna? The Savanna Biome varies according to the season. There are two types of Savannas, Semi- tropical and tropical. In the Semi-Tropical dry season temperatures can either be extremely hot or cold, but in the wet season temperatures are always warm. Savannas are typically dry receiving less than 30 inches of rain per year.

Tropical Savanna Tropical savanna may receive as much as 50 inches of rain in the wet season, but as little as 4 inches during the dry season. The dry climate combined with the extreme heat in the dry season makes savannas ripe areas for grass and brush fires.

Geography There are several different types of savannas around the world. The savannas we are most familiar with are the East African savannas covered with acacia tree. Here animals like lions, zebras, elephants, and giraffes graze and hunt. Many large grass-eating mammals can survive here because they can move around and eat the plentiful grasses. There are also lots of carnivores who eat them in return. There is also a savanna in Northern Australia. Eucalyptus trees take the place of acacias in the Australian savanna. There are many species of kangaroos in this savanna but not too much diversity of different animals.

Landmarks There is also Table Mountain, found in South Africa. This mountain is most well known for being located in the middle of an ocean. In fact, that's why the natives praise it so much because of its wonder and uniqueness. One of the Savanna's many landmarks is the Serengeti. As the most famous Savanna landmark, the Serengeti is one of the only areas where animal migrations can still be found. At one point of the year, millions of beautiful zebras and wildebeests can be spotted, trotting along the grassland.

Geography South America also has savannas, but there are very few species that exist only on this savanna. In Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, savannas occupy some 2.5 million square kilometers. Animals from the neighboring biomes kind of spill into this savanna. Plants have adapted to growing for long periods in standing water. The capybara and marsh deer have adapted themselves to a semi-aquatic life. Brazil is an open woodland of short twisted trees. The diversity of animals is great here, with several plants and animals that don't exist anywhere else on earth.

Major Cities Three major cities located within the tropical savanna are: Nairobi, Kenya Khartoum, Sudan Addis Abada, Ethiopia

Activities Go on a Wildlife Safari: East and Southern Africa are the most popular safari destinations. In East Africa you can witness the annual Great Migration of millions of wildebeest from a hot-air balloon, or track endangered mountain gorillas through the rainforests of Uganda and Rwanda. Southern Africa offers plenty of opportunities for spotting the Big Five. Hike a Mountain: The obvious choices for mountain enthusiasts are Mount Kenya and Morocco's Atlas Mountains. But South Africa's Drakensberg Mountain is a good half-day hike.