1. Grasslands

2. Grassland Location and Climate Grasslands are characterized as lands dominated by grasses rather than large shrubs or trees. There are two main divisions of grasslands: (1) tropical grasslands, called savannas, and (2) temperate grasslands. Temperate grasslands (the plains and prairies of central North America) have hot summers and cold winters. The temperature range is very large over the course of the year. The yearly range can be between -20°C to 30°C but summer temperatures can be well over 38°C while winter temperatures can be as low as -30°C.

3. The amount of annual rainfall influences the height of grassland vegetation, with taller grasses in wetter regions. The soil of the temperate grasslands is deep and dark, with fertile upper layers. It is nutrient-rich from the growth and decay of deep, many-branched grass roots. Seasonal drought, occasional fires, and grazing by large mammals all prevent woody shrubs and trees from invading and becoming established. However, a few trees, such as cottonwoods, oaks, and willows grow in river valleys, and a few hundred species of flowers, grow among the grasses.

4. Grassland Animals The animal life of the prairie include grazing mammals like deer, bison, and pronghorn antelope. Prairie dogs, jack rabbits, skunks, and badgers, mice and other rodents are common prairie inhabitants. Coyotes, foxes, weasels, and ferrets are some of the carnivorous mammals of the grasslands.

5. Also found are ground dwelling birds like grouses, meadowlarks, and quails, Sparrows, blackbirds, hawks, and owls are other avian species of the grasslands. A few species of reptiles like snakes, and insects like grasshoppers and leafhoppers, and spiders all inhabit the prairie.

6. Grassland Animals Prairie Dogs Badger Bison Coyote Black Footed Ferret

7. Other Grassland Animals Bumble Bee

8. Grassland Birds American Goldfinch Scissor Tail Flycatcher Eastern King Bird Greater Prairie Chicken Killdeer Magpie Red Tailed Hawk Meadowlark Dickcissel Yellow Headed Blackbird

9. Grassland Grasses The various species of grasses growing on the prairie include:  Needle grass  Grama grasses  Buffalo grass  Big and little blue stem.

11. Flowers include:  Asters and Blazing stars  Coneflowers and Sunflowers  Goldenrods  Clovers  Thistles  Milkweed Other Grassland Vegetation

12. Flowers and Weeds Fleabane Purple Cone Flower Milkweed Nettle

13. Flowers and Weeds Golden Rod Thistle Sunflower

14. Few natural prairie regions remain because most have been turned into farms or grazing land.