Some of the most characteristic animals of the savannah are the ostrich, rhinoceros, hyena, lion, giraffe, killer elephant and zebra.
Within the savanna ecosystem, many animals tend to walk in herds, since the plains create a favorable environment for species that walk in groups to be safer than those that walk individually.
Within the savannah, there is a great variety of animals, where the most ferocious predator is the one who dominates the territory.
You may also be interested in the flora and fauna of Africa.
Among all these animals, below are some of the most representative:
Ostrich
The ostrich is the largest bird in the world. This bird cannot fly, however, it has long and strong legs that allow it to run at 65 kilometers per hour.
They can measure up to 2.65 meters in height and are characterized by having a very long neck.
Papio
This is a genus of primates that spans almost all of South and West Africa. They usually walk in herds of 300 to 700 individuals.
This primate has a face similar to the snout of a dog, hence the name "papio", which means "dog face."
Hyena
The hyena is a mammal that inhabits almost the entire African territory from the south of the Sahara desert.
This carnivore has the strongest bite of mammals. The hyena is very similar to canines, in fact they are phylogenetically close. However, the hyena belongs to the Felifornia suborder, and they are more related to felines.
Rhino
The rhinoceros is one of the largest and most robust land mammals. Its most peculiar characteristic is that it has two horns on its head, located one above the other.
It can be found in East Africa. This animal does not have very good vision, however, it has a great sense of smell and ears, which allows it to be alert.
Lion
The lion is one of the most agile and ferocious predators on the planet. It can measure up to 3.75 meters and run at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour.
In the past, they could be found throughout the African continent and today they can be found occasionally in West Africa.
Giraffe
Certain people say that the giraffe is the symbol of the African Savannah.
Many local tribes consider it a sacred and majestic species, due to its great height and beauty.
African elephant
This is the largest land mammal today. It measures up to 3 and a half meters in height and 7 meters in length.
They have two horns and a trunk, which they use for practically everything. They are herbivores, that is, they feed on plants and seeds such as peanuts.
Despite their large size, they can reach a speed of 40 kilometers per hour.
Zebra
Zebras are mammals belonging to the same genus as horses. They have black stripes that evolved to be able to hide better from predators.
Cheetah
The cheetah, also known as a cheetah, is the fastest land animal that exists, with a speed between 95 and 115 kilometers per hour.
It is between one meter and 1.5 meters long, and has a body adapted to be able to be fast on the plains.
Leopard
Leopards are mammals belonging to the genus Panthera. They are also called panthers, since panther is called all that feline capable of roaring.
It can be found in Áefica and in Southeast Asia. This animal is solitary and has a life expectancy of 23 years.
References
- "African Savannah: African Elephant" in: Oakland Zoo (2000) Retrieved: November 25, 2017 from Oakland Zoo: oaklandzoo.org.
- "Animals from the Savannah" in: World Story. Retrieved on: November 25, 2017 from World Story: worldstory.net.
- "Ostrich" in: World Story. Retrieved on: November 25, 2017 from World Story: worldstory.net.
- "Distinctive Features of the Maya Culture" (July, 2007) in: History on the Net: Mayans. Retrieved on May 8, 2017 from History on the Net: historyonthenet.com.
- Jarus, O. “The Maya: History, Culture & Religion” (December, 2013) in Live Science: History. Retrieved in May 2017 from Live Science: livescience.com.