THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE MOST REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNA - BIOLOGY - 2025

The flora and fauna of the savannah is a reflection of the geographical characteristics of this ecosystem. In general, the savannah is characterized by having little abundant vegetation and a somewhat more heterogeneous fauna.

The savannah is a type of landscape that occurs in different areas of the world. Therefore, depending on the geographical location, its characteristics and components may vary.

The most representative animal species in this landscape are lions, antelopes, zebras, hyenas and elephants.

This landscape is located mainly in Central and South Africa, in the desert areas of Oceania and in the areas of the eastern part of South America.

The most significant plant species are shrubs, herbaceous strata, perennial grasses, flat-topped acacia or baobab.

The 5 most representative animals of the savannah

1- The lion

The lion is one of the quintessential examples of the animal landscape of the savannah. They are one of the main predators of the ecosystem, feeding on other species.

His roar and physical strength are characteristic. They inhabit open areas with space to run and chase their prey.

2- The antelopes

They are large mammals with a very characteristic physical appearance. They are herbivores and serve as food for predatory species, such as the lion or the cheetah. There are different species that have different characteristics and needs.

3- Zebras

They are possibly the most characteristic and well-known animals in the world. They are immediately identified with Africa, and more specifically with the landscape of the savanna.

Its striped, black and white body is unmistakable. They are herbivores with a physiognomy similar to that of horses. They are highly sociable.

4- The hyenas

The hyena is a carnivorous mammal that achieves great speed when running. This is good for hunting their prey.

They do not like the heat, so they usually hunt at night and retreat to rest at dawn.

They have a good memory that allows them to remember the place where they hid their prey if they were not hungry.

5- elephants

The elephant is not a species that lives exclusively in the savannah, but there is a subspecies that is the African elephant of the savanna.

It is the largest of all the existing ones in the world. A single elephant can need up to 160 kilos of food per day.

The 5 most representative plants of the savannah

1- The bushes

Due to the extreme climatic conditions of the savanna - generally very hot and dry - it is difficult to find large plant species.

Shrubs of medium-low size proliferate, which do not need much water to grow and survive. Predators use them to hide before attacking their prey.

2- Herbaceous strata

They are extensions of grass used by the different animal species to feed themselves. They do not grow homogeneously throughout the territory considered savanna.

3- Perennial grasses

It is a type of herbaceous plant that also serves as food for certain herbivorous and omnivorous animals. Its presence in the African savannah gives the landscape a very characteristic appearance.

4- The flat-topped acacia

It is a tree of the Fabaceae family, one of the few trees that can be seen in the savannah.

It can be found in any type of altitude and soil throughout Africa. It is deciduous and blooms in summer.

It adapts well to non-extreme semi-desert climates. Normally it does not grow in tree groups, but independently, with nothing around it.

5- The baobab

It is the common name for a tree called adansonia. It is a massive trunk tree native to Africa.

Of its eight species, six grow in Madagascar and one - the most common - grows in continental Africa.

It can reach 30 meters and its external appearance is very characteristic, with thin, short and irregular branches growing from an extremely thick trunk.

References

1. "Animals on the African Savanna", Joanne Ruelos Diaz. (2014).
2. "Savannas and Grasslands" (Endangered Biomes), Donna Latham. (2011).
3. African Savanna on National Geographic, at nationalgeographic.org
4. Grasslands on National Geographic, at nationalgeographic.com
5. The Baobab Tree: Africa's Iconic 'Tree of Life' on Aduna, at aduna.com