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Wildlife in the Grasslands

Grasslands are large, flat, treeless areas of land covered with grass. The grass in a grassland may be tall or it may be short. Herbaceous plants, or non-woody plants, may also grow in the grasslands. In North America, the grassland may be called the plains or a prairie. In South America, especially in the countries of Argentina and Uruguay, the grassland is called pampa, and in other parts of South America they are called llanos. In Africa, grasslands may be called a savanna or a veldt. Finally in Europe, a grassland is called a steppe. There are several different kinds of grasslands: tropical and subtropical, temperate, flooded, montane, polar, and xeric. Grasslands can be found all over the world except on the continent of Antarctica because grasslands cover about one fourth of the earth's total land surface.

The climate of the grasslands is ideal for growing grass but not other plants. Climate is the usual weather of an area; how hot or cold, how wet or dry. Grasslands are usually dry. They only receive about 15 to 36 inches of rain per year. The temperature range is between -4 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Grasses are able to survive even though it is dry. There are two reasons why grasses grow well in this type of climate. Grasses do not need as much water to grow as trees do. In addition, when strong steady wind blows the wind does not bother grasses. The leaves of trees would dry out faster than the roots can replace it and they do not grow well. So, winds can also create grasslands. The structure of the leaves of grasses are smaller so they loose less water and are able to grow better than trees due to this adaptation. Grasses may die in the driest season but will start to bud and grow again when conditions are right. The warm, dry, windy conditions in certain parts of the earth are perfect conditions for growing grass.

The oryx is one type of antelope that lives in the grassland. It is an herbivore and eats grass.
Animals are able to survive the dry conditions of the grasslands using their adaptations as well. They are able to acquire water even when little is available. Some herbivores, like antelope, eat at night when foliage has the most water in them. These animals also receive the water from dew that is on the leaves at this time of day. The black rhinoceros chews succulent leaves, leaves that are protected from water loss. Then they spit out the left over fibers. The hyrax gets almost all its water from plants. Other animals that are fortunate enough to find a water source may obtain water from a river bed or waterhole. Larger animals, such as elephants, may dig into the earth to reach sources of underground warer making a kind of "well." Other animals that live near these animals may use this water, too. Animals are able to satisfy their need for water in this dry habitat.

Animals also adapt to the grassland habitat by finding ways to shelter and protect themselves from danger where there are limited places to hide. The baboons use alarm calls to warn of different types of dangerous predators. So, an adaptations of the antelopes and zebras is to feed near baboons. In turn, antelopes and zebras have a good sense of smell. The nose is the structure that functions to alert them to danger nearby. This behavior of the antelope and zebras also benefits the baboons. Many grassland creatures are able to run very quickly. The strong legs of antelope are the structures that enable them to run quickly away from danger.Living in herds, or large groups, is safer than being alone. This behavior helps some creatures survive. Other animals burrow into the soil beneath the grass or hide in tufts of grass. These behavioral adaptations are important for grassland survival. Animals of the grasslands have other adaptations to help them shelter their bodies from heat. Some animals roll around in the mud to stay cool. Elephants shower themselves with water to cool off. There are many ways that animals find shelter in this type of environment.

Hyraxes live in the grassland and get most of the water they need to survive from the plants they eat.

Grassland Study Questions

What is a grassland ?
What does herbaceous mean?
What are seven synonyms for the word grassland ?
Name the types of grasslands.
Name the continents where grasslands can be found.
What fraction of the land on earth is not covered by grasslands?
What temperature range is suited for the growth of grass?
What amount of rainfall is needed for grass to grow?
What two factors prevent trees from growing in the grassland?
What physical adaptation enables grasses to grow well in a windy region?
Name the continents where grasslands can be found.
What fraction of the land on earth is not covered by grasslands?

Animal Study Questions

What are the sources of water for animals in the grasslands?
Name a structural adaptation of a grassland animal.
Where do grassland creatures find shelter to protect themselves from predators?
Since there are few trees, what other hiding places do animals use?
How do light colors help grassland animals?

PHOTO GALLERY

	The prairie dog's coloring helps it blend with the grasses of the grassland.
The alarm call of baboons is a behavioral adaptations that helps the whole herd to survive.

All the stripes of many zebra on the run confuse predators. The behavior of living in herds helps them to survive.