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grassland animals include zebras, buffaloes, kangaroos,
mice, moles, gophers, ground squirrels, snakes, worms, termites, beetles, lions, leopards, hyenas, and elephants. The world's greatest diversity of ungulates is found on the savannas of Africa. The antelopes are especially diverse and include eland, impalas, gazelles oryx, gerenuk and kudu. Buffalo, wildebeest, plains zebra, rhinos, giraffes, elephants and warthogs are among other herbivores of the African savanna. Carnivores include lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, wild dogs and hyenas. Termites are especially abundant in the tropical grasslands of the world. |
Lions are the second largest cats after the tiger. Most are tawny in color; faint spots found on the young are occasionally kept into maturity. The males have thick mane around the head that extends down the chest between the forelegs; the mane can vary in color from yellow to black. There are a few populations that have very thin or no manes males who have been injured may also lose their manes. Lions are the only cats with tufts at the end of their tails. They have massive shoulders and strong forelimbs, long sharp claws, and short powerful jaws. Their muscular build generates a lot of metabolic heat and they may pant just from walking across an open plain. Lions have nine distinct vocalizations, including roars and puffing Their roar can be heard by humans over five miles away.
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The zebra is the horse of the savanna. Grant's zebra is the most abundant of the 3 species of zebra. The zebra looks like a horse, only smaller. It doesn't sound like a horse, and "barks" instead of neighs. Its height is about 50 in. from shoulder to hoof, and weighs in at 500 to 600 pounds. It has rather short legs and a large head. The zebra has black and white stripes, a black nose, and black hooves. It also has a short, erect mane. The stripes on its side are vertical but bend to become horizontal on its rump. Every zebra's stripe pattern is different. the zebra lives in close-knit groups called families or harems, led by a single male. There can be up to 17 members in each family. Everybody in the family relies on each other to look out for danger and help those who are in trouble. They stay close to each other even when they migrate in herds of 10,000 or more. They slow their pace for weak or young members and never leave them. They can live to be 28 year old. |
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Grasslands cover nearly fifty percent of the African land surface and grasslands in general support a diverse amount wildlife. Numerous species of insect, small mammals, birds, and reptiles can be found inhabiting areas of grassland around the world, along with various different species of large herbivorous mammals such as cows. Due to the open and uncovered nature of grassland, predators are much easier to spot, giving the smaller animals that chance to run away and hide. Given the lack of hiding places for predators, the African savanna regions support a much greater diversity of wildlife than the temperate grasslands do. It is thought that grassland once covered nearly two thirds of land on Earth. Grasslands have changed rapidly due to agriculture and farming and today, only a small area of grassland still contains its original animals and vegetation.
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African elephants, also known as the savanna elephants, are the largest land mammal in the world. They weigh up to 10,000 pounds and grow to 12 feet tall. They have a long trunk that is very flexible and has nostrils on the end. It is used to pick up food and water and carry it to it's mouth. On the sides of its mouth there are two long teeth that extend out from inside its mouth. These are called tusks, and are made of ivory. They have thick, gray skin on their bodies that protects them from deadly predator bites. African elephants live on the savannas of Africa. There are two species of elephants in Africa the savanna elephant and the forest elephant. The savanna elephant's habitat is usually savannas or grasslands.
They are herbivores, and feed on grasses, fruits, tree leaves, bark, shrubs, and vines. |