Fauna
Zebra
Zebras are herbivores that live in the grasslands of Africa. The size of a common zebra's body ranges from 6–8.5 feet (2–2.6 m) long with an 18 inch (0.5 m) tail. It can weigh up to 770 pounds (350 kg), males being slightly bigger than females. They have adapted strong, powerful legs to run from predators, and also a black and white stripe pattern to confuse predators when they run.
Zebras are herbivores that live in the grasslands of Africa. The size of a common zebra's body ranges from 6–8.5 feet (2–2.6 m) long with an 18 inch (0.5 m) tail. It can weigh up to 770 pounds (350 kg), males being slightly bigger than females. They have adapted strong, powerful legs to run from predators, and also a black and white stripe pattern to confuse predators when they run.
Prairie Dog
Prairie dogs are burrowing rodents native to the grasslands of North America. They are about 30-40 cm in length. Adults can weigh from 1.5 to 3 lbs (0.68 to 1.36 kg), males are typically heavier than females. Prairie dogs are chiefly herbivorous, although they sometimes eat insects. Prairie dogs have adapted a light brown coat of fur that helps them camoflauge with the color of the dirt and tall grass, which ultimately helps them avoid becoming prey. |
Bison
Bison (also called Buffalo) are large, even-toed ungulates, whose typical habitat is open or semi-open grasslands, as well as sagebrush, semi-arid lands and scrublands. The American bison is a grazer. Its diet is made up of mostly grasses and sedges. It will occasionally eat berries and lichen. In the winter, the bison uses its head and hooves to move snow off the vegetation. Bison have broad, flat-topped teeth and digestive systems that are adapted to feed on grasses. |
Gazelle
Gazelles are mostly found in the grasslands, and savannas of Africa, but they are also found in southwest and central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. They tend to live in herds and will eat less coarse, easily digestible plants and leaves. Gazelles are rather small antelopes, most standing 2-3.5 ft (61-107 cm) high at the shoulder, and are generally fawn-colored. Gazelles exhibit a distinctive behaviour of stotting. Stotting is the act of running and jumping high before fleeing, when they are threatened by predators, such as cheetahs. |
Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros have a native habitat in the grasslands of Africa and southern Asia. They characterized by their big size, and large horn. They are herbivores, feeding on mainly grasses. They have a thick protective skin, about 1.5-5 cm thick. White rhinos have broad lips that are adapted to grazing grasses. The collective noun for a group of rhinoceroes is a "crash." |
Lion
Lions are found in the grasslands of southern Africa. They are carnivores that consume a wide variety of prey, from wildebeest, impala, zebra, giraffe, buffalo, wild hogs and sometimes rhinos and hippos. Hunting is done by only female lions. Lions weigh about 330-500 lbs (150-227 kg), and can grow to 7ft (2.3 m) in length. Lions live in groups, called prides. The male lion is well known for its large mane around its head. |
Other important species of fauna in the grassland are the omnivorous hippopotamuses, and the scavenger hyenas.
Flora
Blue Grama Grass
Blue grama grass, Bouteloua gracilis, is a long-lived, warm-season grass that is native to North American grasslands. The Bouteloua gracilis plant height at maturity ranges from 15-30 centimetres (6-12 in). Blue grama is green to greyish in appearance. It is a major producer in the grassland biome, providing food for all primary consumers. |
Other species of grasses found in the grassland biome are purple needle grass, wild oats, fox tail, ryegrass, and buffalo grass. The niche of all grasses in this biome is to participate in photosynthesis in order to create energy for all of the higher proceeding trophic levels. Two adaptations of flora in the grasslands is having growth points close to the ground to defend against intense animal grazing, and underground stems and buds so that these grasses are not easily destroyed by fires. Other species found in the grassland like fungi and molds, act as decomposers, breaking down detritus in the area, recycling the ecosystem's energy.