por The flora and fauna of the savannah corresponds to the characteristic biological diversity of tropical and subtropical plains with bi-seasonal climate and soil limitations. The savannah is a biome with a warm tropical climate with two marked seasons, one dry and the other rainy.
The dry season lasts from 5 to 7 months, and the rainy season from 5 to 7 months, although it can occur in two peaks or seasons. This biome is characterized by a flat to undulating relief from 100 meters below sea level to 1,850 meters above sea level.
In the first case, there are the floodplain savannahs of northern South America, and in the second, the savannahs of the Tanzania plateau (Serengeti). The vegetation is dominated by grasses, with small shrubs, where trees are absent or very sparsely present.
In these regions, during the rainy season, rainfall is between 500 and 1,200 mm per year, in some cases causing flooding. While the dry season is equally extreme in some cases, with average temperatures of 25 to 27 ºC.
This tropical biome is home to a great biological diversity, highlighting in the case of the African savannahs the diversity of herbivorous mammals that dominate both in number of species and individuals. While in the South American savannahs they also present great animal diversity, although with populations diminished by hunting.
In the flora of the savannah, the species of grasses, which are herbaceous plants, dominate, accompanied by shrubs and scattered trees of various families. Among these, legumes, malváceas and euphorbiáceas stand out.
Fauna of the African savannah
Zebra (Equus spp.)
There are three species in the African savannahs forming large herds, among them the common zebra (Equus quagga), Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) and the mountain zebra (equus zebra). These herbivorous brothers of donkeys and horses are characterized by their particular pattern of black and white stripes.
African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana)
It is the largest terrestrial animal, reaching up to 4 m in height and 11 tons in weight, with large ears (2 m) and trunk (3 m). Its trunk includes the upper lip and the nose, serving to collect food and water, make sounds and breathe. Both males and females have a pair of tusks up to 3.5 m long.
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
This feline from the African savannah is the fastest land animal, reaching up to 128 km/h. It has a body length of about 1.5 m, with a height of 94 cm and a weight of up to 65 kg.
Its coat is reddish brown to yellowish, with black spots, very short, except for a small area on the neck and shoulders.
Giraffe (Giraffa spp.)
The giraffe reaches up to almost 6 m in height, mainly due to its long neck, which makes it the tallest animal. It has a pair of small horns on its head covered in skin and its fur is reddish brown with a white reticulate pattern.
Traditionally, only one species called giraffa camelopardalishowever today up to 8 different species are proposed.
Lion (Panthera leo)
It is the largest predator of the African savannah and the largest cat in the world, with a length of about 2 m plus a tail of almost 1 m. Males weigh more than 200 kg and have a characteristic mane of profuse hair around the head and neck.
Wildebeest (Connochaetes spp.)
Two species of wildebeest are recognized as inhabiting the savannahs of Africa, the blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and the white-tailed wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou). They belong to the family of bovids, being therefore herbivorous, reaching the blue wildebeest up to 1.5 m in height and 250 kg in weight.
Although there are sedentary populations, they also form herds of thousands of animals that migrate long distances to graze.
Aardvark (Orycteropus afer)
It is also known as an anteater due to its snout with characteristics similar to those of pigs. It is an animal that lives solitary and nocturnal in the savannah and that feeds on ants or termites.
Broad-tailed galago (Otolemur crassicaudatus)
The largest within its family of primates (it can measure 47 cm). It has nocturnal and arboreal habits, basing its diet on obtaining fruits, berries, seeds and some insects or small reptiles.
Grey-crowned crane (Balearica regulorum)
Slender bird that, within the savannah, always seeks the most humid areas to nest. It feeds on amphibians in swamps and marshes and its most striking feature is the voluminous crest that grows from its head.
Okapi (okapia johnstoni)
Mammal related to the giraffe. It is a very solitary animal and with a tendency to flee from strange presences such as humans. They can reach more than 2 meters and weigh up to 300 kg.
Giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea)
Largest species within its family. Its shell is its main hallmark, although it has other fascinating characteristics such as an extraordinary sense of smell, a great ability to catch ants with its large tongue, or its ability to stand up on two legs.
Greater Kudu or Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
African antelope capable of exceeding 2.2 meters in length and weighing up to 320 kg. Its fur is very striking due to the white stripes that run along its back, but its main physical quality is its two huge, curved horns.
spotted hyena (crocuta crocuta)
Large hyena that stands out for its speed, resistance and even swimming ability. Much of these qualities are due to the fact that they have a very large heart compared to their body. They feed on carrion and are well recognized for their barking, very similar to a human laugh.
African wild dog (lycaon pictus)
Endemic to Africa, the most striking thing about this species is its fur, which does not follow a specific pattern and, therefore, no two individuals are the same. They have a very strong jaw and, like wolves, they hunt in packs.
Buckeye or common buffalo (Alcelaphus buselaphus)
A large antelope mammal that appears slender in pose because its front legs are longer than its hind legs. It has V-shaped antlers and they are very fast animals with great resistance.
Cape or South African porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis)
Rodent that is located in areas with vegetation and rocks both to feed and to take refuge from predators. It is not aggressive, but it usually attacks orchards and crops, being in some cases a true pest. He lives solitary and most of his time he performs at night.
Eared fox or ototion (Otocyon megalotis)
Small canine that stands out for its large ears, adapted to survive in dry and hot environments. In addition, they allow you to locate the prey that make up your diet (ants, termites and other insects mainly).
ostrich (struthio camelus)
Huge flightless bird that makes up for that lack with great power and speed. It can weigh up to 180 kg and measure up to 3 meters. It is very aggressive and can be deadly to humans. Very striking are their eggs, which can weigh up to 2 kg.
fauna of the american savannah
Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
It is a non-venomous aquatic snake that reaches 5.2 m in length and 70 kg in weight. This places it as the heaviest in the world and one of the longest. It inhabits rivers, lagoons and flooded areas of the savannas, feeding on small and medium-sized mammals, as well as fish.
Its hunting technique is to catch the prey with a bite while strangling it by coiling its body around it like a series of rings and then swallowing it whole.
Giant Armadillo (Priodontes maximus)
It is the largest of the existing armadillos, reaching up to 1 m in length and weighing more than 30 kg. Its armor is made up of numerous bands, it has powerful claws on its front legs, and it has a thick, long tail.
It is dark brown to gray in color in most of the armor, except for the lower part that is yellowish or somewhat pink. It feeds on termites, ants, worms, spiders, snakes, plants, and lives in burrows dug in the ground.
Spectacled or baba caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
This alligator reaches up to 2.5 m in length, and is characterized by presenting a bony prominence or crest over the eyes. It is grayish brown on the back and yellowish brown on the sides with reddish brown bands on the tail.
It inhabits the lagoons and rivers of the savannahs where it feeds mainly on fish and small mammals.
Capybara or capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)
This is the largest terrestrial rodent, reaching up to 134 cm in length, 62 cm in height and up to 66 kg in weight. It has an elongated head with small eyes and ears, the color of its fur being reddish brown.
It spends most of its time in the water in the rivers and lagoons of the savannah, feeding on both aquatic herbs and grasses.
Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
Also called palm tree bear, it reaches up to 1.2 m in length plus a 90 cm tail, making it the largest existing anteater. It has a long, narrow snout from which it projects a long, sticky tongue with which it catches ants and termites.
Its body is covered with long hair, as is the tail, showing a black band that goes from the chest projecting to the back. This white-bordered band separates the front part of the gray back and head and the black rear part.
Common Deer (Odocoileus virginianus gymnotis)
This species of deer is widely distributed in America from the north to the extreme south, inhabiting both forests, jungles, and savannahs. This particular subspecies lives in the savannahs of Colombia and Venezuela. It is reddish brown with a white tail, and males have branched antlers.
Flora of the African savannah
Umbrella Thorn Acacia (Acacia tortilis)
Leguminous trees of the genus Acacia, with its umbrella-shaped cups. Among the common species is acacia tortiliswith its leaves composed of very small leaflets and flowers in yellow heads.
Jackalberry Tree (Diospyros mespiliformis)
They are generally large shrubs or small trees between 4 and 6 m tall, although they can reach up to 25 m. This species is a source of food for wildlife, its foliage is eaten by elephants and buffaloes and its name derives from the attraction that jackals have for its fruits.
Mongongo tree (Schinziophyton rautanenii)
It is a euphorbiaceous tree up to 20 m tall characteristic of the savannahs of southern Africa towards the Kalahari. It is highly appreciated for its fruits, of which both its pulp and the nut are consumed, which is very nutritious (mongongo nuts).
Baobab (Adansonia digitata)
Baobabs are common trees in the savannahs of southern Africa belonging to several species, among them a frequent one is Adansonia digitata. These deciduous trees are characterized by their wide and globose trunk, fingered leaves and large fruits. Elephants tear the surface bark of these trees to feed on the…