Animals of the African savanna steppe are herbivorous. Fauna of African savannas. Leopards and cheetahs

Among the grasses of the savannah. In the savannah there are periods of drought when there is a shortage of food. Then numerous herds of animals go in search of more favorable conditions. These migrations can last for weeks, and only the hardiest animals manage to reach their goal. The weaker ones are doomed to die.

The savannah climate favors the growth of tall and lush grass. Trees, on the contrary, are rare here.

Baobab not so much tall tree, however, the diameter of its trunk can reach 8 meters.

The African buffalo, along with the hippopotamus, is considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Indeed, if a buffalo is wounded or feels danger to itself or its cubs, it does not hesitate to attack the aggressor and kill him with its powerful horns. Even the lion tries to avoid meeting him, as he is not sure of the outcome of the battle. Therefore, only buffaloes that have strayed from the herd, or old and sick animals that are unable to defend themselves, are attacked by predators.

The zebra skin is original and easily recognizable. At first glance, all zebras seem the same, but in fact, each animal has its own stripe pattern, like human fingerprints. Countless attempts have been made to domesticate zebras (domesticate them like horses), but they always end in failure. The zebra does not tolerate riders or other loads on its rump. She is very shy and difficult to approach even in nature reserves.

Zebras lack horns and other means of defense and flee from predators. Once surrounded, they defend themselves with their teeth and hooves.

How to spot predators? Zebras' vision is not very sharp, so they often graze next to other animals, such as giraffes or ostriches, which are able to notice the approach of predators earlier.

A pursued zebra can travel at speeds of 80 kilometers per hour, but not for long.

The stripes on a zebra's skin can be used to identify different types of zebra. The stripes on the croup are especially significant in this sense.

Leo prefers open spaces, where he finds coolness in the shade of rare trees. For hunting, it is better to have a wide view in order to notice herds of grazing herbivores from afar and develop a strategy on how best to approach them unnoticed. Outwardly, it is a lazy beast that dozes and sits around for a long time. Only when the lion is hungry and forced to pursue herds of herbivores or when he must defend his territory does he emerge from his stupor.

Lions do not hunt alone, unlike cheetahs and tigers. As a result, all members of the lion family live together for a long time and the grown lion cubs are not expelled from it, unless the conditions in the hunting territory become critical.

Usually a group of females goes hunting, but males rarely join them. The hunters surround the victim, hiding in tall grass. When the animal notices the danger, it panics and tries to escape at a gallop, but most often falls into the clutches of other hidden lionesses that it has not noticed.

A characteristic feature of a lion is a thick mane in males, which is not found in other representatives of the cat family.

A lioness usually gives birth to two cubs. To become adults, they need about two years - all this time they adopt the experience of their parents.

A lion's claws can reach 7 cm.

In an effort to survive, all animals have evolved to provide their species with sufficient food. The giraffe can feed on tree leaves that other herbivores cannot reach: thanks to its six-meter height, it is taller than all other animals. A giraffe can take food from the ground, as well as drink water, but to do this, it must spread its front legs wide apart in order to bend over. In this position, he is very vulnerable to predators, because he cannot immediately rush to flight.

The giraffe has a very long, thin and soft tongue, adapted for plucking acacia leaves. The lips, especially the upper ones, also serve this purpose. The giraffe picks off leaves growing at a height of two to six meters.

The most favorite food of giraffes is tree leaves, especially acacia; its thorns apparently do not bother the animal.

Giraffes live in herds, divided into two groups: one contains females with cubs, the other contains males. To win the right to become leaders of the herd, males fight by striking their heads with their necks.

When running, the giraffe is not very fast or agile. When running away from an enemy, he can only count on a speed of 50 kilometers per hour.

The cheetah's "secret weapon" is its flexible body with a strong spine, curved like the arch of a bridge, and powerful clawed paws that allow it to rest firmly on the ground. This is the fastest-footed animal of the African savannah. No one can imagine an animal running faster than a cheetah. In short moments, he reaches speeds of over 100 kilometers per hour, and if he didn’t get tired quickly, he would be the most a terrible predator Africa.

The cheetah prefers to live in small groups of two to eight to nine individuals. Typically such a group consists of one family.

Unlike other members of the cat family, the cheetah's claws never retract, just like dogs. This feature allows the animal not to slip on the ground when running; Only the claw of the thumb does not touch the ground.

The cheetah climbs trees and surveys the savanna from above to discover herds of grazing herbivores that could become its prey.

The skin of a cheetah is not always covered with spots; sometimes they merge, forming stripes, like the king cheetah.

The long tail serves as a rudder - it can quickly change the direction of running, which is necessary when chasing a victim.

The African elephant was threatened with extinction both because of hunting, to which it became a victim at the beginning of the 20th century, since there was a great demand for ivory products (from tusks), and because of important changes made by man in its habitat. Now elephants live mainly in giant national parks, where they are studied by zoologists and protected by guards. Unfortunately, this is not enough to stop elephants from being killed by poachers. The situation is different with the Indian elephant, which has never been in danger because man has used it for centuries to various works.

The African elephant is different from the Indian elephant. It is larger, its ears are larger, and its tusks are much longer. IN South-East Asia elephants are domesticated and used for various jobs. African elephants are resistant to domestication due to their more independent nature.

Like the giraffe, the elephant prefers to eat tree leaves, which it plucks from the branches with its trunk. It happens that he knocks down an entire tree to the ground to get food.

Tusks and trunks are two of the elephants' miraculous survival tools. The elephant uses its tusks to protect itself from predators and uses them during drought to dig up the ground in search of water. With a very mobile trunk, it picks off leaves and collects water, which it then puts into its mouth. The elephant loves water very much and, at the first opportunity, climbs into a pond to freshen up. He swims great.

The elephant willingly hides in the shadows because it huge body hard to cool. Its huge ears serve this purpose, with which it rhythmically fans itself to cool itself.

Just as children hold their mother’s hand, so baby elephants walk holding the elephant’s tail with their proboscis.

The natural environment in which the ostrich lives determined the final adaptability of this bird, the largest of all: the ostrich's mass exceeds 130 kilograms. The long neck increases the ostrich's height to two meters. A flexible neck and excellent vision allow him to notice danger from afar from this height. The long legs give the ostrich the ability to run at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour, usually fast enough to escape predators.

The ostrich prefers open spaces where it can see everything from afar and there are no obstacles for running.

Ostriches do not live alone, but in groups of varying numbers. While the birds are looking for food, at least one stands guard and looks around the area to spot enemies, primarily cheetahs and lions.

The ostrich's eyes are surrounded by long eyelashes, which protect them from both the African sun and dust raised by the wind.

Ostriches build a nest in a small depression, digging it into sandy soil and covering it with something soft. The female incubates the eggs during the day because her gray coloration blends well with her surroundings; the male, with predominantly black feathers, incubates at night.

Females lay from three to eight eggs in a common nest, and each of them takes turns incubating the eggs in turn. One egg weighs more than one and a half kilograms and has a very strong shell. Sometimes it takes a baby ostrich a whole day to break the shell and hatch from the egg.

The ostrich's beak is short, flat and very strong. It is not specialized for any particular food, but serves to pluck grass and other vegetation and grab insects, small mammals and snakes.

This huge pachyderm lives in both Africa and South and Southeast Asia. There are two species of rhinoceroses in Africa, distinct from the Asian ones. African rhinoceroses have two horns and are adapted to habitats characterized by large spaces with very few trees. The Asian rhinoceros has only one horn and prefers to live in forest thickets. These animals are on the verge of extinction because they are ruthlessly hunted by poachers for their horns, which are in high demand in some countries.

Despite its mass, the African rhinoceros is very mobile and can make sharp turns while running.

A female rhinoceros usually gives birth to one calf every two to four years. The baby stays with his mother for a long time, even when he grows up and becomes independent. Within an hour, a newborn calf can follow its mother on its own legs; moreover, it usually walks either in front of her or on the side. It feeds on mother's milk for a year, and during this time its weight increases from 50 to 300 kilograms.

Male rhinoceroses, like many other animals, fight for the right to become the leader. At the same time, they use the horn as a stick, that is, they hit with the side, and not with the tip. It may happen that during a single combat the horn breaks, but then it grows back, albeit very slowly.

A rhinoceros's eyesight is poor; it sees only close up, like a nearsighted person. But he has the finest sense of smell and hearing; he can smell food or an enemy from afar.

A rhinoceros horn can reach a length of 1.5 meters.

With characteristic herbaceous vegetation and small interspersed trees and shrubs, it is called savanna.

African savannas occupy more than 40% of the continent's area. They are distinguished by diverse fauna and flora. Moreover, according to scientists, this is one of the most environmentally friendly regions of the planet.

Climate

The savannas of Africa have a warm tropical climate. The dry winter period is pronounced. The average temperature of the hottest month is +30 °C and above; in the coldest month the temperature does not drop below +18 °C. Precipitation falls no more than 2500 mm per year.

African savannah soil

In this region, conditions for plant development are difficult - the soil contains practically no nutrients (or in very small quantities). During drought, it dries out so much that deep cracks appear on the surface and fires often occur. During wet season the soil becomes swampy.

Savannah vegetation of Africa

To survive, savannah trees acquired certain specific properties that protect them from drought and heat. Most bright representative savannah flora - baobab. The diameter of its trunk often reaches 8 meters. This giant grows up to 25 meters in height.

The thick baobab trunk and bark are capable of accumulating moisture like a sponge. Long and powerful roots absorb moisture from deep in the soil. Africans learned to use baobab shoots and leaves for food, and to make various tools from the bark.

Despite not the most favorable conditions, vegetable world Savannas (Africa and other continents) are quite diverse. Here you can find plants that are better adapted than others to drought, which lasts for more than one month.

Herbs

The savannah has very thick and lush grass. For example, ivory, which has huge leaves up to 50 cm long and a stem of about two meters. In addition, aloe and wild asparagus, as well as many cereal plants, feel quite comfortable here.

sausage tree

Very unusual (for a European) is the plant growing in these places. sausage tree. It got its name thanks to the unusual fruits that grow up to 50 cm in length. According to local residents, they are used in the treatment of rheumatism and syphilis. In addition, it is a mandatory attribute in rituals to expel evil spirits.

Looking at a photo of the African savannah, you will notice that there are many different palm trees in these areas. And indeed it is. There are several types of similar trees here.

In addition, the flora is rich in thorny bushes and mimosas - a favorite delicacy of giraffes.

It should be noted that during a period of drought in the savanna, all vegetation seems to freeze: often during this period, trees completely shed their leaves, and the grass sometimes completely burns out under the hot sun. There are frequent fires here, which damage the vegetation.

But when the rainy season comes, it comes to life again. Fresh, lush grass appears and various plants bloom.

Animals of Africa (savannah)

The vast expanses of the savannah are home to many representatives of the fauna that came to these regions due to migration phenomena, which are primarily associated with changes climatic conditions on the ground.

Millions of years ago, Africa was covered with rain forests, but gradually the climate became drier, and therefore huge areas of the forest disappeared forever. Their place was taken by open forests and fields overgrown with herbaceous vegetation. In turn, this contributed to the emergence of new animals that were looking for favorable conditions for life. According to scientists, giraffes were the first to come from the jungle, followed by elephants and antelopes. various types, monkeys and other herbivores. It is quite natural that predators - servals, cheetahs, lions, jackals and others - followed them into the savannah.

Antelopes and zebras

The appearance of the wildebeest is so unique that it is difficult to confuse it with another animal - a dense and short body on disproportionately thin legs, a heavy head decorated with sharp horns and mane, and a bushy tail. Next to them there are always small herds of cute African horses - zebras.

Giraffes

Photos of the African savannah that we see in textbooks and advertising brochures of travel companies always show us some of the typical representatives fauna of these places - giraffes. Once upon a time, the number of these animals was very large, but they were the first to suffer from white colonists - their skins were used to make coverings for carts. Now giraffes are protected, but their numbers are small.

Elephants

They are the largest land animals in Africa. It is impossible to imagine savannahs without huge steppe elephants. They differ from their forest counterparts in their powerful tusks and wider ears. By the beginning of the 21st century, the number of elephants had greatly decreased, but thanks to conservation measures and the creation of reserves, there are more elephants today than in the last century.

Rhinoceroses

The fate of the whites and those inhabiting the African savannah raises serious concerns among scientists. Their horns are worth four times more than elephant tusks. Therefore, they are the most desirable prey for poachers. Only those created in helped to protect these animals from complete extermination.

Lions

The savannas of Africa are inhabited by many predators. The undisputed primacy among them is lions. They live in groups (prides). They include adults and young animals. In prides, responsibilities are clearly distributed - young and active lionesses provide food for the family, and males guard the territory.

Leopards and cheetahs

These predators are a little similar to each other in appearance, but differ in their lifestyle. The cheetah's main prey is the gazelle. The leopard is a universal hunter; it successfully hunts wild pigs), baboons, and small antelopes.

Hyenas

There are many insects and worms in the grass and soil, so the fauna of the savannah is distinguished by a large number of bird representatives. They flock here from all over the world. The most common are storks, red-billed quilles, vultures, marabou, vultures, horned crows, etc. The savannas are home to the largest and, perhaps, one of the most beautiful birds in the world - ostriches.

Picture of the animal world African continent would be incomplete if we did not mention termites. There are dozens of species of these insects. Their buildings are a characteristic element of the savannah landscape.

It should be noted that animals are highly revered in Africa. It is not without reason that their images can be seen on the coats of arms of many African states: a lion - Congo and Kenya, a zebra - Botswana, an elephant - Ivory Coast.

Animal world The savannas of Africa have developed over the centuries as an independent whole. The degree of adaptation of animals to specific conditions is unusually high. This includes a strict division according to the method of nutrition and the composition of feed. Some use shoots of young shrubs, others use bark, and others use buds and buds of plants. In addition, different animals take the same shoots from different heights.

Conclusion

The savannah of southern Africa is a place where amazingly diametrically opposed landscapes and amazing ecosystems combine. The harsh struggle for life in these places is in amazing harmony with luxurious nature, and the richness of the flora and fauna is with attractive exoticism and African flavor.

The giraffe is an adornment of the savannah, thanks to its graceful gait and surprisingly long neck. Translated from Latin, the name of the giraffe is translated as “camel-leopard,” apparently the discoverers considered it a cross between these animals. In addition to the long neck, the giraffe is also characterized by a tongue up to 45 cm long. These animals feed mainly on tree leaves; their growth allows them to reach the youngest and most delicious foliage. But drinking for a giraffe is completely uncomfortable; you have to spread and bend your legs. The long neck of the animal has the same number of cervical vertebrae as all mammals (7 pieces).

Elephants living in savannas are especially large; they are also called steppe or African elephants. They are distinguished by more powerful tusks and wide ears. Like ungulates, elephants heavily trample the plant surface of the savannah. The animals live in groups led by a large elephant. Thanks to their tusks, these heroes were on the verge of extinction a hundred years ago, but with the help of nature reserves this situation has returned to normal.

One cannot ignore the main predator of the savannah, the king of animals - the lion. Almost all inhabitants of the plains become its prey. Lions usually live in groups (prides), which include adult males and females, as well as their cubs. Responsibilities are very clearly distributed between members of the pride: lionesses are engaged in obtaining food, and large and strong males guard the territory.

The open plains of Africa are home to the cheetah, the fastest animal on Earth. While chasing its prey, it can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h. The special flying movements of the cheetah are explained by the peculiarities of its running, where the animal rests on only two paws. The cheetah is both strong and amazingly fast, which allows it to overtake prey such as antelope or zebra.

However, it is impossible to describe all the diversity of the savanna fauna. All this can be seen more clearly and colorfully in documentaries dedicated to the species richness of the fauna of this natural zone.

Nature film series - Savannah. Animal world

Subject.Savanna fauna.Lesson No. 12. Chapter Animals.

Students get acquainted withbrief encyclopedic information, answer quiz questions, and test their erudition. The lesson is based on a textbook for further education by Paul Dowswell "The unknown about the known". Recommended by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation in accordance with the Federal State Educational Standard.

Type of lesson: combined

Target: development of erudition, cognitive and creative abilities of students; developing the ability to search for information to answer questions.

Tasks:

Educational: the formation of cognitive culture, mastered in the process of educational activities, and aesthetic culture as the ability to have an emotional and value-based attitude towards objects of living nature.

Educational: development of cognitive motives aimed at obtaining new knowledge about living nature; cognitive qualities of a person associated with mastering the fundamentals of scientific knowledge, mastering methods of studying nature, and developing intellectual skills;

Educational: orientation in the system moral standards and values: recognition of the high value of life in all its manifestations, the health of one’s own and other people; environmental consciousness; nurturing love for nature;

Personal: understanding of responsibility for the quality of acquired knowledge; understanding the value of adequately assessing one’s own achievements and capabilities;

Cognitive: ability to analyze and evaluate the impact of factors environment, health risk factors, consequences of human activities in ecosystems, the impact of one’s own actions on living organisms and ecosystems; focus on continuous development and self-development; the ability to work with various sources of information, transform it from one form to another, compare and analyze information, draw conclusions, prepare messages and presentations.

Regulatory: the ability to organize independent completion of tasks, evaluate the correctness of work, and reflect on one’s activities.

Communicative: formation communicative competence in communication and cooperation with peers, understanding the characteristics of gender socialization in adolescence, socially useful, educational and research, creative and other types of activities.

Technologies: Health conservation, problem-based, developmental education, group activities

Progress of the lesson

Learning new material (teacher's story with elements of conversation)

Savannah- a place where diametrically opposed landscapes and amazing ecosystems are surprisingly combined. The harsh struggle for life in the savannas is in amazing harmony with luxurious nature, and the richness of the flora and fauna is with attractive exoticism and African flavor.

Questions and tasks for discussion

What are savannas and where are they located?

What seasons are there in tropical savannas?

Why do so many wild animals live in savannas?

Why do many animals graze in large herds?

Why do termites build huge termite mounds?

How does an anteater feed?

Why are elephants and giraffes so big?

Termites - what are they? Where do termites live and what do they eat?

Savanna fauna

Presentation “Fauna of the Savannas”

What are savannas and where are they located?

Unfortunately, not many people know what savannas are and where they are located. Savannas are a natural area that is found mainly in the subtropics and tropics. The most important feature of this strip is the humid seasonal climate with pronounced alternations between dry and rainy seasons. This feature determines the seasonal rhythm of natural processes here. This zone is also characterized by ferrallitic soils and herbaceous vegetation with groups of standing trees. what are savannas and where are they located?

Savannah localization

Let's take a closer look at what savannas are and where they are located. The largest shroud zone is in Africa, it occupies about 40% of the area of ​​this continent. The smaller areas of this natural zone are located in South America(on the Brazilian plateau, where they are called campos, and in the Orinoco River valley - llanos), in the east and north of Asia (Indochina Peninsula, Deccan Plateau, Indo-Gangsaya Plain), as well as in Australia.

Climate

Savannah is characterized by monsoon-trade wind circulation air masses. In summer, these regions are dominated by dry tropical air, and in winter by equatorial humid air. The farther from the equatorial belt, the more there is a reduction in the rainy season (from 8-9 months to 2-3 on the outer borders of this zone). The amount of annual precipitation decreases in the same direction (from approximately 2000 mm to 250 mm). Savannah is also characterized by slight temperature fluctuations depending on the season (from 15C to 32C). Daily amplitudes can be more significant and reach 25 degrees. Such climatic features created a unique natural environment in the savannah.savannahs of South America.

Soils

The soils of the region depend on the duration of the rainy season and differ in leaching regime. Near equatorial forests, in areas where the rainy season lasts about 8 months, ferrallitic soils have formed. In areas where this season is less than 6 months, you can see red-brown soils. On the borders with semi-deserts, the soils are unproductive and contain a thin layer of humus.

Savannahs of South America

In the Brazilian Highlands, these zones are located mainly in its interior areas. They also occupy areas of the Orinoco Lowland and the Guiana Plateau. Brazil has typical savannas with red ferrallite soils. The vegetation of the zone is predominantly herbaceous and consists of the legume, grass, and asteraceae families. Tree species of vegetation are either not present at all, or are found in the form of separate species of mimosa with an umbrella-like crown, milkweeds, succulents, xerophytes and tree-like cacti. In the northeast of the Brazilian Highlands, most of the area is occupied by caatinga (a sparse forest of drought-resistant shrubs and trees on red-brown soils). The branches and trunks of caatinga trees are often covered with epiphytic plants and vines. Several types of palm trees are also found.

Savannahs of South America also located in the arid regions of the Gran Chaco on red-brown soils. Sparse forests and thickets of thorny bushes are common here. The forests also contain algarrobo, a tree from the mimosa family, which has a curved column and a highly branched, spreading crown. Low forest tiers are shrubs that form impenetrable thickets.

Among the animals in the savannah are the armadillo, ocelot, Pampas deer, Magellan cat, beaver, Pampas cat, rhea and others. Of the rodents, the tuco-tuco and viscacha live here. Many areas of the savanna suffer from locust infestations. There are also many snakes and lizards here. Another one characteristic feature landscape - a large number of termite mounds.

African shrouds

Now all readers are probably wondering: “Where is the savanna in Africa?” We answer, on the black continent this zone practically follows the contour of the humid area. tropical forests. In the border zone, forests are gradually thinning out and becoming poorer. Among the forest areas there are patches of savannas. Tropical wet forest gradually limited only to river valleys, and in the area of ​​​​watersheds they are replaced by forests, the trees of which shed their leaves in dry times, or savannas. There is an opinion that tall grass tropical savannas began to form in connection with human activity, as he burned out all the vegetation during the dry season. In areas with a short wet season, the grass cover becomes shorter and sparse. Among the tree species in the region, there are various acacias with a flat crown. These areas are called dry or typical savannas. In regions with a longer rainy season, thickets of thorny bushes grow, as well as tough grasses. Such vegetation areas are called desert savannas; they form a small strip in the northern hemisphere.

The African savannah world is represented by the following animals: zebras, giraffes, antelopes, rhinoceroses, elephants, leopards, hyenas, lions and others.

Savannahs of Australia

Let's continue our topic “What are savannas and where are they located” by moving to Australia. Here this natural zone is located mainly north of 20 degrees south latitude. In the east there are typical savannas (they also occupy the south of the island of New Guinea). During the wet season, this region is covered with beautiful flowering plants: the families of orchids, ranunculaceae, lilies and various grasses. Characteristic trees- acacias, eucalyptus, casuarina. Trees with thickened trunks, where moisture accumulates, are quite common. They are, in particular, represented by the so-called bottle trees. It is the presence of these unique plants that makes the Australian savanna a little different from the savannas that are located on other continents. This zone is combined with sparse forests, which are represented by different types eucalyptus. Eucalyptus forests occupy most of the country's northern coast and a large part of Cape York Island. In the Australian savannah you can find many marsupial rodents: moles, rats, wombats, and anteaters. The echidna lives in the bushes. The emu, a variety of lizards and snakes can also be seen in these regions.

The role of savannas for humans After we have found out in detail what savannas are and where they are located, it is worth saying that these natural areas play an important role for humans. Peanuts, grains, jute, cotton, and sugar cane are grown in these regions. In dry areas, livestock farming is quite developed. It is also worth noting that some tree species growing in this region are considered very valuable (for example, teak wood). -

Despite more value, people, unfortunately, continue to systematically destroy the savanna. Thus, in South America, many trees die as a result of burning fields. Large areas of savannah are cleared of forest from time to time. Until recently, in Australia, about 4,800 square meters were cleared annually to provide livestock pasture. km of forest. Such events are now suspended. Many exotic trees (Nile acacia, vaulting landata, prickly pear and others) also have a detrimental effect on the savannah ecosystem. Climate change leads to changes in the function and structure of the savanna. Woody plants are suffering greatly as a result of global warming. I would like to believe that people will begin to take care of nature in the near future. -

Tropical savannas have two seasons: winter and summer. They are not accompanied by sudden changes in temperature and do not have seasonal differences associated with this. These are areas located in warm or hot climatic zone. The average air temperature ranges from +18 to +32 degrees. It rises very smoothly. wild animals of the savannah

Winter

This is the so-called “dry season” in the tropical savanna. It lasts from November to April. During this period, the savannah zone receives very little rainfall. From December to February there may be absolutely no rain. This is the coolest time of the year, when the air temperature does not rise above +21 degrees. Thunderstorms begin in October. They are accompanied by strong winds that dry out the air. Fires are common in savannas during the dry season.

Summer

During the rainy season, savannas experience high humidity. Tropical showers begin in May or early June. From May to October, the area receives between 10 and 30 mm of rainfall. During the rainy season, the African savannah blossoms: dense forests grow rapidly, picturesque meadows bloom. Savannah animals actively reproduce, and during this period the mother's milk of females is saturated useful substances thanks to the variety of herbs in the diet.

Wildlife of the savannah

You can immediately say that this is unique world, which does not exist anywhere else on Earth. Primarily due to the variety of large and very large animals. Before the advent of white colonialists, the animals of Africa felt free and at ease. Savannas provided food for countless herds of herbivores that moved from place to place in search of water. They were accompanied by numerous predators, and carrion eaters (jackals and vultures) moved behind them.

Later the situation changed radically. Plowing up large areas of land, steppe fires, building roads, and industrial cattle breeding have put wild animals in distress. The situation was saved by the creation of nature reserves in which hunting and any economic activity. Thanks to the animals, the savannah has a characteristic, incomparable appearance.

Herbivorous animals of the savannah

Giraffe

These are amazing animals of Africa. It is impossible to imagine Savannah without these stately handsome men. Even children know their graceful gait and surprisingly long neck. Not everyone knows that the “name” of the giraffe is translated from Latin language means camel-leopard. Perhaps those who first met this handsome man decided that he was a cross between these animals. These giants are herbivores. They feed on tree leaves. Thanks to their high growth, they can reach young and succulent foliage. It is not very convenient for a giraffe to drink: you have to bend your legs. The long neck of this giant, like all mammals, has 7 vertebrae. It surpasses the elephant in height, reaching almost 7 meters, but not in weight. The length of the giraffe's tongue alone is 50 centimeters. This length allows the animal to grab succulent leaves from the tops of tree crowns. The neck also helps. Its length is more than a third of the giraffe's total height. To send blood to the “high-rise floors,” the heart of a savanna inhabitant is enlarged to a mass of 12 kilograms.

Elephants

When talking about what animals live in the savannah, one cannot fail to mention the steppe, or African elephants. They have powerful tusks and wide ears, unlike their Indian counterparts. Plus, they are much larger. These giants live in groups, each of which is led by a large female elephant.

Because of the value of their tusks, these huge animals were brought to the brink of extinction in the last century, and the threat remained until their destruction was banned. Nature reserves have played a huge role in protecting elephants.

Wildlife of the savannah does not know a larger creature. However, over time, elephants become smaller. In the last century, hunters exterminated individuals with large tusks. The most massive and tall elephants had these. In 1956, for example, a male weighing 11 tons was shot dead in Angola. The height of the animal was almost 4 meters. The average height of African elephants is 3 meters.

Even a newborn elephant weighs 120 kilograms. Gestation lasts almost 2 years. This is a record among land animals. It is not surprising that the elephant’s brain is impressive, weighing more than 5 kilos. Therefore, elephants are capable of altruism and compassion, they know how to grieve, they listen to music and play instruments, they paint by holding brushes in their trunks.

Zebras

Another animal that lives in the African savannah is the cute striped zebra horse. Many people wonder why she needs this bright color? Savannah animals have hair of certain colors not only to recognize each other from afar. Mainly it helps to deceive the attacking enemy. Let's say a zebra is attacked by a lion. Alone, she is clearly visible to a predator. What if she rushes to her herd? When there is a large concentration of animals, all the stripes merge, causing ripples in the eyes of the predator... Hunting becomes more difficult.

Striped horses eat grass. However, the life of savannah animals is not easy, and in search of watering places and pastures, they travel long distances across the hot savannah. Antelopes, giraffes, and ostriches often graze next to zebras. Such a large company helps to escape from enemies. Despite his harmless appearance, the zebra knows how to stand up for itself. She strives to strike the enemy with her forelimbs with hard hooves; a herd of these cute animals can even repel the attack of a lion. Zebras usually live in small herds; they gather into large herds only before a long journey. At the head of such a herd is an experienced and strong leader. Zebras are monogamous: they build their families once and for the rest of their lives. Animals of the African Savannah The foal recognizes its mother by the pattern of stripes. Interestingly, it never repeats itself. And so that the baby remembers his mother, she does not let anyone near him for several days after birth. When the cub grows a little, it is protected by all the zebras in the herd.

Rhinoceros

Savannah animals can be proud that they live next to the largest land animal (after the elephant). This is a rhinoceros. Its weight reaches 2.2 tons, length - 3.15 m, height - 160 cm. Its name is not accidental. There really is a horn growing on his nose, huge and very sharp. Moreover, some individuals have two of them: one is very large, the other is slightly smaller. They are formed from hard, compressed hair. However, this is a very dangerous weapon.

These giants love water, swamps, and even more pleasure is given to them by mud, in which they can wallow to their heart's content during the rainy season. This way they escape the heat. The thick skin of a rhinoceros gathers into folds. He resembles an ancient knight dressed in armor. Birds can often be seen on its back. The giant is not against these guests, since they are his assistants. Birds clean the skin of rhinoceroses from various insects and ticks.

Rhinoceroses see poorly, but hear very well. Their sense of smell is even better developed. They find a familiar path to the lake by smell. Each rhinoceros has its own path. These huge animals feed on leaves, grass, and fruits fallen from trees. Having had enough, the rhinoceros goes to bed. He falls asleep so soundly that at this time you can get quite close to him. But if he suddenly wakes up, it’s better not to catch his eye: he’s quick-tempered and really doesn’t like being disturbed from resting.

Most often, rhinoceroses live completely alone. The exception is the African white rhinoceros, which grazes in small groups. The mother rhinoceros feeds her offspring (usually one cub) with milk for a year. Currently, the number of rhinoceroses has decreased significantly.

Kudu antelope

It is divided into 2 subspecies: small and large. The latter inhabits the savannas of Africa, which occupy almost half of the continent, everywhere. The lesser kudu is limited to Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania. This is the difference from big view are ending.

Coloring of the small and great kudu the same - chocolate blue. The transverse stripes on the body of antelopes are white. Horns savannah animals They wear spiral ones. In the large species they reach one and a half meters in length. The small kudu is content with 90 centimeters.

Kudu horns are a weapon for battles and protection. Therefore in mating season males turn their heads away from females, standing sideways to them. This is how males demonstrate a peaceful, romantic mood.

Blue wildebeest

Numerous species, distributed not only in protected areas national parks. At the withers, the wildebeest reaches one and a half meters. The weight of the ungulate reaches 270 kilograms. The color is distinguished not only by a blue tint, but also by transverse dark stripes on the front side of the body.

Wildebeest migrate twice a year. The reason is the search for water and suitable herbs. Wildebeest feed on a limited list of plants. Having swept them away in one area, the antelopes rush to others.

Hippopotamus

Otherwise called hippopotamus. This term is made up of 2 Latin words and translates as “river horse”. This name reflects the animal's love for water. Hippos plunge into it, falling into a kind of trance. There are fish underwater that clean the mouths of hippos and their skin.

There are swimming membranes between the animals' toes. Fat also contributes to buoyancy. Hippopotamuses' nostrils close underwater. Inhalation is required every 5 minutes. Therefore, hippos periodically raise their heads above the water.

The hippopotamus' mouth opens 180 degrees. The bite force is 230 kilograms. This is enough to take the life of a crocodile. Hippos diversify their diet from herbs with reptile meat. The fact that hippos also eat meat is a discovery of the 21st century.

Buffalo

Pictured are savannah animals look impressive. No wonder, because the buffalo is almost 2 meters tall and 3.5 meters long. A meter of the latter falls on the tail. Some males weigh up to a ton. The average weight is 500-900 kilograms. Females are smaller than males.

It seems that all the buffalos are depressed and wary. This is the result of the structural features of the ungulate. The buffalo's head is below the straight line of the back.

Grant's Gazelle

Herbivores of the savannah listed in the international Red Book. The population consists of approximately 250 thousand individuals. Most of them live in protected areas of African national parks.

The species can be recognized by the beige coloration of its short fur, white belly, darkening on the legs and lightened markings on the face. The height of the gazelle does not exceed 90 centimeters, and its weight is 45 kilos.

The Grant's gazelle is similar to the Thomson's gazelle. However, the first has lyre-shaped horns, as if made up of separate rings. At the base of the outgrowths their diameter is larger. The length of the horns is 45-80 centimeters.

Oryx

Oryx — wild animals of the savannah, whose young are born with horns. In babies they are protected by leathery bags. As the oryx grows, straight horns break through them. They are like that of the savannah oryx. There are also Arabian and Saharan species. Those horns are curved towards the back.

Oryx is a Red Book animal. The representative of savannahs is the most common. And here is the last Saharan oryx last time seen about 20 years ago. The animal may have gone extinct. However, Africans periodically report encounters with ungulates. However, the statements are not supported by documents.

7.Warthog

It is the only wild pig that digs burrows. A warthog lives in them. Sometimes a pig conquers the holes of other animals or takes empty ones. Females select spacious burrows. They should also accommodate offspring. Males' burrows are smaller, up to 3 meters in length.

Warthogs are shy. This spurred the savannah pigs to reach speeds of 50 kilometers per hour. Warthogs rush like a bullet to their burrows or thickets of bushes. Other pigs are not capable of such speeds.

Dik-dik

Does not go far into the savannah, staying along its perimeter. The reason is that the miniature antelope needs cover in the form of dense thickets bush. It is easy for an ungulate about half a meter long and 30 centimeters high to hide in them. The weight of the dik-dik does not exceed 6 kilograms.

Females of the species lack horns. The coloring of different-sex individuals is the same. The belly of antelopes is white, and the rest of the body is red-brown or yellow-gray.

Somali wild ass

Found in Ethiopia. The species is on the verge of extinction. There are black horizontal lines on the animal's legs. In this way, the Somali donkey resembles a zebra. There are similarities in body structure.

There are purebred individuals left in Africa. In zoos and national parks, the ungulate is often crossed with the Nubian donkey. The offspring are called animals of the savannahs of Eurasia. In Basel, Switzerland, for example, 35 hybrid donkeys have been born since the 1970s.

The most purebred Somali donkeys outside Africa are found in zoos in Italy.

Predatory animals of the savannah

There are a maximum of 50 thousand individuals left on the planet of lions. In the last century, a male weighing 318 kilograms was shot. The length of the cat was 335 centimeters. There are no such giants left in this century. The average weight of a lion is 200 kilograms.

The males of the species have a mane for a reason. During fights for females and territory, the teeth of opponents get stuck in the fur. In addition, lionesses evaluate the size of their mane when choosing partners for mating. What animals are in the savannah coats, which is what females of the species prefer.

Cheetah

In 3 seconds it accelerates to 112 kilometers per hour. Such mobility requires energy expenditure. To replenish them, the cheetah constantly hunts. Actually, for the sake of hunting, the animal develops impressive speed. This is such a vicious circle.

Life of savannah animals can be interrupted after 10 unsuccessful attacks. As a rule, there is no strength left at 11-12. The predators collapse from exhaustion.

Leopard

The smallest among big cats. The height of a leopard at the withers does not exceed 70 centimeters. The length of the animal is 1.5 meters. There is also a size limit for the amount of precipitation required for a leopard to settle in the savannah.

The cat remains in it only if at least 5 centimeters of water fall from the sky over the course of a year. However, this amount of precipitation occurs even in semi-deserts. Leopards also live there.

The color of a leopard depends on the surrounding landscape. In the savannah, cats are often orange. In deserts, animals are sand-colored.

Baboon

Typical inhabitant East Africa. Baboons there have adapted to hunt together. Antelopes become victims. Monkeys fight over prey because they do not like to share. We have to hunt together, because otherwise the ungulate cannot be killed.

Baboons are smart and easy to tame. The ancient Egyptians used this. They tamed baboons by teaching them to pick dates on plantations.

Hyena

She has a bad reputation. The animal is considered cowardly and, at the same time, vile and evil. However, scientists note that the hyena is the best mother among mammals. Puppies are breastfed for 20 months and are the first to eat. Females drive males away from food, allowing children to come in. Among lions, for example, the offspring humbly wait for the father to feast on them.

Hyenas eat not only meat. The inhabitants of the savannah love juicy fruits and nuts. Having eaten their fill, hyenas often fall asleep next to the place where they eat.

Aardvark

The only representative of the aardvark order. The animal is a relic, similar to an anteater and also eats ants, but belongs to a different order of mammals. The ears of an aardvark are like those of a hare.

The animal's nose resembles a trunk or a vacuum cleaner hose. The tail of an aardvark is similar to that of a rat. The body somewhat resembles a young wild boar. You can see verya in the savannas south of the Sahara.

If a trip to Africa is not planned, you can see the aardvark in Russian zoos. In 2013, by the way, a baby exotic animal was born in Yekaterinburg. Previously, it was not possible to obtain offspring of aardvarks in captivity.

Porcupine

Among the porcupines, the African one is the largest. Among rodents, the animal also has no equal. Some of the porcupine's spines are longer than itself. Africans do not know how to throw “spears” at enemies, although such a myth exists.

The animal only lifts the needles vertically. The tubes on the tail are hollow. Taking advantage of this, the porcupine moves its tail quills, making rustling sounds. They frighten enemies by reminding them of hissing rattlesnake.

In battles, the porcupine's quills break off. If it is not possible to scare off the enemy, the animal runs around the offender, exhausting and stabbing. Broken needles grow back.

Birds of the savannah

There are many insects and worms in the grass and soil, so the fauna of the savannah is distinguished by a large number of bird representatives. They flock here from all over the world.

The most common are storks, red-billed quilles, vultures, marabou, African ostriches, vultures, horned crows, etc. Savannahs are home to the largest and, perhaps, one of the most beautiful birds in the world - ostriches.

Savannas are areas in which herbaceous vegetation predominates. Most of the African savanna is located in Africa, between 15° N. w. and 30° S. w. Savannas are located in countries such as: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Democratic Republic Congo, Angola, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa.

The African savanna has two seasons: dry (winter) and rainy (summer).

• The dry winter season is longer, lasting from October to March in the Southern Hemisphere, and from April to September in the Northern Hemisphere. There is only about 100mm of rainfall throughout the entire season.
• Rainy summer season(rainy season) is very different from the dry season and lasts a shorter amount of time. During the rainy season, the savanna receives between 380 and 635 mm of rain per month and the rain can last for hours without stopping.

Savanna is characterized by grasses and small or scattered trees that do not form a closed canopy (as in ), allowing sunlight to reach the ground. The African savanna contains a diverse community of organisms that interact to form a complex food web.

Healthy, balanced ecosystems are made up of many interacting systems called food webs. (lions, hyenas, leopards) feed on herbivores (impalas, warthogs, cattle), which consume producers (grasses, plant matter). Scavengers (hyenas, vultures) and decomposers (bacteria, fungi) destroy the remains of living organisms and make them available to producers. Humans are also part of the savanna biological community and often compete with other organisms for food.

Threats

This ecoregion has been significantly damaged by humans in many ways. For example, local residents use the land for grazing, as a result of which the grass dies and the savanna turns into a barren, deserted area. People use wood for cooking and create problems for the environment. Some also engage in poaching (hunting animals illegally), which leads to the extinction of many species.

To restore the damage caused and preserve natural environment, some countries have created nature reserves. National Park Serengeti and nature reserve Ngorongoro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The African savanna is one of the largest wild habitats in the world, covering almost half the continent's area, about 13 million km². If it were not for the efforts made by people to preserve the savanna, a large number of representatives of the flora and fauna of this corner of nature would have already become extinct.

Animals of the African savannah

Most savannah animals have long legs or wings that allow them to migrate long distances. Savannah is the perfect place for birds of prey such as hawks and buzzards. The wide open plain gives them a clear view of their prey, the rising currents of hot air allow them to soar above the ground with ease, and rare trees provide an opportunity to rest or nest.

The savanna has a great diversity of fauna: the African savanna is home to more than 40 different species of herbivores. Up to 16 different herbivorous species (those that eat tree leaves and grass) can coexist in one area. This is possible thanks to own preferences in everyone's food a separate type: they can graze at different heights, at different times of the day or year, etc.

These various herbivores provide food for predators such as lions, jackals and hyenas. Each carnivorous species has its own preferences, allowing them to live in the same territory and not compete for food. All these animals depend on each other, occupy a certain place in the food chain and provide balance in the environment. Savannah animals are in constant search of food and water. Some of them are listed below:

African savannah elephant

The largest land mammal in the world. These animals grow up to 3.96 m at the withers and can weigh up to 10 tons, but most often have a size at the withers of up to 3.2 m and a weight of up to 6 tons. They have a long and very flexible trunk that ends in nostrils. The trunk is used to capture food and water and transfer it to the mouth. On the sides of the mouth there are two long teeth called tusks. Elephants have thick, gray skin that protects them from fatal bites predators.

This species of elephant is common in African savannas and grasslands. Elephants are herbivores and eat grasses, fruits, tree leaves, bark, shrubs, etc.

These animals have an important job on the savannas. They eat bushes and trees, and thereby help the grass grow. This allows many herbivorous animals to survive. Today there are about 150,000 elephants in the world and they are endangered because poachers kill them for their ivory.

wild dog

The African wild dog lives in the grasslands, savannas and open woodlands of eastern and southern Africa. The fur of this animal is short and colored in red, brown, black, yellow and white colors. Each individual has a unique coloring. Their ears are very large and rounded. Dogs have a short muzzle and have powerful jaws.

This species is perfectly suited for chasing. Like greyhounds, they have a slender body and long legs. The bones of the lower front legs are fused together, which prevents them from twisting when running. In African wild dogs big ears, which help remove heat from the animal’s body. The short and wide muzzle has powerful muscles that allow it to grasp and hold prey. The multi-colored coat provides camouflage to the environment.

The African wild dog is a predator and feeds on medium-sized antelopes, gazelles, and other herbivores. They do not compete with hyenas and jackals for food, as they do not eat carrion. Humans are considered their only enemies.

Black Mamba

The black mamba is a highly venomous snake found in the savannas, rocky and open woodlands of Africa. Snakes of this species grow about 4 m in length and can reach speeds of up to 20 km/h. The black mamba is not actually black, but rather brownish-gray, with a light belly and brownish scales on its back. It got its name because of the purple-black color of the inside of its mouth.

Black mambas feed on small mammals and birds such as voles, rats, squirrels, mice, etc. A snake can bite a large animal and release it. She will then chase her prey until she is paralyzed. The mamba bites smaller animals and holds them, waiting for the toxic venom to take effect.

Black mambas are very nervous when a person approaches them and try to avoid it in any way. If this is not possible, the snake shows aggression by raising the front part of its body and opening its mouth wide. They quickly attack and inject their prey with their poison, and then crawl away. Before antivenoms were developed, a mamba bite was 100% fatal. However, to prevent fatalities, the medicine should be administered immediately. They have no natural enemies and the main threat comes from habitat destruction.

Caracal

- a species of mammals from, widely distributed in the savannas of Africa. The body type is similar to a regular cat, but the caracal is larger and has larger ears. Its coat is short and the color varies from brown to reddish-gray, sometimes even becoming dark. His head is shaped like an inverted triangle. The ears are black on the outside and light on the inside, with tufts of black hair at the tips.

They are active at night, mainly hunting small mammals such as rabbits and porcupines, but sometimes large animals such as sheep, young antelope or deer become their victims. They have special skills for catching birds. Their strong legs allow them to jump high enough to actually knock down flying birds with their large paws. The main threat to caracals is people.

bear baboon

Bear baboons live mainly in the African savanna and high mountain grasslands. They never stray far from trees or water sources. This species is the largest in the genus of baboons; males can weigh 30-40 kg. They are very hairy animals with olive-gray fur.

Bear baboons do not live in trees; they spend most of their time on the ground. They can climb trees when threatened, for food or to rest. These mainly eat fruit from trees, roots and bugs. Baboons unintentionally feed other animals by throwing or leaving food behind for others to pick up.

Egyptian mongoose

The Egyptian mongoose is the largest of all mongooses in Africa. The animals are common in scrubland, rocky regions and small areas of savannah. Adults grow up to 60 cm in length (plus a 33-54 cm tail) and weigh 1.7-4 kg. Egyptian mongooses have long fur that is typically gray with brown dots.

They are primarily carnivores, but will also eat fruit if it is available in their habitat. Their typical diet consists of rodents, fish, birds, reptiles, insects and larvae. Egyptian mongooses also feed on the eggs of various animals. These representatives of the fauna can eat poisonous snakes. They hunt birds of prey and large carnivores of the savannah. Egyptian mongooses benefit the environment by killing animals (such as rats and snakes) that are considered pests to humans.

Grant's Zebra

Grant's zebra is a subspecies of Burchell's zebra and is widely distributed in the Serengeti Mara. Its height is about 140 cm and its weight is about 300 kg. This subspecies has rather short legs and a large head. Grant's zebra has black and white stripes all over its body, but its nose and hooves are completely black. Each individual has its own unique color.

The main predators of zebras are hyenas and lions. There are about 300,000 zebras left on the savanna and they are endangered.

a lion

They live in the African savannas south of the Sahara. They eat gazelles, buffalos, zebras and many other small and medium-sized mammals. Lions are the only cats that live in family packs called prides. Each pride includes from 4 to 40 individuals.

The coat color of these animals is ideal for camouflage with the environment. They have sharp, hooked claws that they can retract or extend at will. Lions have sharp teeth that are ideal for biting and chewing meat.

They play an important role for the survival of other animals. When this predator kills its prey and eats it, parts or pieces of the carcass are usually left behind for vultures and hyenas to consume.

Lions are quite interesting and graceful creatures that are interesting to watch, however they are endangered due to overhunting and habitat loss.

Nile crocodile

The Nile crocodile can grow up to five meters in length and is common in freshwater swamps, rivers, lakes and other watery places. These animals have long muzzles, which can capture fish and turtles. Body color is dark olive. They are considered the most intelligent reptiles on earth.

Crocodiles eat almost anything in the water, including fish, turtles or birds. They even eat buffalo, antelope, big cats, and sometimes people when given the chance.

Nile crocodiles skillfully camouflage themselves, leaving only their eyes and nostrils above the water. They also blend well with the color of the water, so for many animals that come to a body of water to quench their thirst, these reptiles represent mortal danger. This species is not endangered. They are not threatened by other animals except humans.

African savannah plants

This habitat is home to a huge variety of wild plants. Many representatives of the flora have adapted to grow during long periods of drought. Such plants have long roots that are able to reach water deep underground; thick bark that can withstand constant fires; trunks that accumulate moisture for use in winter.

Grasses have adaptations that prevent certain animals from eating them; some are too pungent or bitter for certain species, although more than acceptable for others. The advantage of this adaptation is that each animal species has something to eat. Different species may also consume specific plant parts.

There are many different plant species in the African savanna and below is a list of some of them:

Acacia Senegalese

Senegalese acacia is a small thorny tree from the legume family. It grows up to 6 m in height and has a trunk diameter of about 30 cm. The dried sap of this tree is gum arabic - a hard transparent resin. This resin is widely used in industry, cooking, watercolor painting, cosmetology, medicine, etc.

Many wild animals feed on the leaves and pods of the Senegalese acacia tree. Like other legumes, these trees store nitrogen and then add it to poor soils.

Baobab

Baobab is found in the savannas of Africa and India, mainly near the equator. It can grow up to 25 meters in height and live for several thousand years. During the rainy months, water is stored in the thick trunk, using roots up to 10 m long, and then used by the plant during the dry winter season.

Almost all parts of the tree are widely used by local residents. The baobab bark is used to make cloth and rope, the leaves are used as seasonings and medicines, and the fruit, called “monkey bread,” is eaten plain. Sometimes people live in the huge trunks of these trees, and representatives of the galagidae family (nocturnal primates) live in the crowns of the baobab tree.

Bermuda grass

This plant is also called pigweed palmate. Bermuda grass is widespread in warm climates from 45° N latitude. up to 45° S It gets its name from its introduction from Bermuda. Grass grows in open areas (pastures, open forests and gardens) where frequent disturbances to the ecosystem such as animal grazing, floods and fires occur.

Bermuda grass is a creeping plant that forms a dense mat when it touches the soil. It has a deep root system, and in drought conditions the roots can be located underground at a depth of 120-150 cm. The main part of the root is located at a depth of 60 cm.

Fingerweed is considered a highly invasive and competitive weed. Few herbicides are effective against it. Before the advent of mechanized farming, Bermuda grass was the worst weed for farmers. However, it saved a huge amount of agricultural land from erosion. This plant is very nutritious for cattle and sheep.

elephant grass

Elephant grass grows in the African savanna and reaches a height of 3 m. It is found along lakes and rivers where the soil is rich. Local farmers feed this grass to their animals.

The plant is highly invasive and clogs natural water flows, which must be cleared periodically. Elephant grass grows well in tropical climates and can be killed by a slight frost. The underground parts will remain alive unless the soil freezes.

This herb is used by local people in cooking, agriculture, construction and as an ornamental plant.

Persimmon medlar

Loquat persimmon is widely distributed throughout the African savannah. It prefers wooded areas where there are termite mounds nearby, and is also found along river beds and marshy areas. In heavy soils, termite mounds provide the tree with aerated and moist soil. Termites do not eat living trees of this species.

This plant can reach 24 m in height, however most trees do not grow that tall, reaching a height of 4 to 6 m. The fruits of the tree are popular among many animals and local residents. They can be eaten fresh or canned. The fruits are also dried and ground into flour, and beer is also brewed from them. The leaves, bark and roots of the tree are widely used in traditional medicine.

Mongongo

The mongongo tree prefers hot and dry climates with little rainfall and is common in wooded hills and sand dunes. This plant reaches a length of 15-20 meters. It has many adaptations that allow it to live in arid environments, including a moisture-storing trunk, long roots, and thick bark.

This species is widespread throughout the southern savanna. The nuts of this tree are part of the daily diet of many Africans and are even used to extract oil.

Combretum red-leaved

Combretum red-leaved prefers warm and dry climates and grows near rivers. The tree grows from 7 to 12 m in height and has a dense, expanding crown. The fruit is poisonous and causes severe bouts of hiccups. The tree has straight, long roots because it requires a lot of water to grow.

They feed on its leaves in the spring. Parts of this tree are used in medicine and the wood processing industry. Its good adaptability, fast growth, dense expanding crown, interesting fruit and attractive leaves make it a popular ornamental tree.

Acacia twisted

Acacia is a tree from the legume family. Its homeland is the African savanna Sahel, but the plant can also be found in the Middle East. It is known that the plant can grow in highly alkaline soil, and can withstand dry and hot environmental conditions. In addition, trees that reach two years of age have little frost resistance.

The wood of these trees is used in construction and furniture is made from it. Many wild animals feed on acacia leaves and pods. Parts of the tree are used by local people to make jewelry, weapons and tools, as well as in traditional medicine.

Acacia is important in restoring degraded drylands because the tree's roots fix nitrogen (an essential plant nutrient) in the soil through interaction with symbiotic nodule bacteria.

Acacia sickle-lobed

Acacia crescenta is commonly found in the savannas of equatorial East Africa, particularly the Serengeti Plain.

This acacia can grow about 5 m in height and has sharp thorns up to 8 cm long. The hollow thorns can be home to 4 species of ants, and they often make tiny holes in them. When the wind blows, the thorns thrown by the ants make a whistling sound.

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