Savanna Biome

4th grade

Cristen Simone

Definition of Biome

a complex biotic community characterized by distinctive plant and animal

species and maintained under the climatic conditions of the region,
especially such a community that has developed to climax.

Savanna

A savanna

is a rolling grassland scattered

with shrubs and isolated trees, which
can be found between a tropical
rainforest and desert biome.

Map of Savanna Biome

.The yellow areas are where grassland/savanna biomes are located

Plants

Gum Tree Eucalyptus Whistling Thorn

Kangaroo Paws

Elephant Grass

Animals

African Elephant

Africa Wild Dog

Lion

Black Mamba

Food Web

Producers

Plants are called producers. This is

because they produce their own
food! They do this by using light
energy from the Sun, carbon dioxide
from the air and water from the soil
to produce food - in the form of
glucouse/sugar.
The process is called
photosynthesis. Click on the image
below to learn about
photosynthesis.

Consumers

Animals are called consumers. This

is because they cannot make their
own food, so they need to consume
(eat) plants and/or animals.

Food chain

a series of organisms interrelated in

their feeding habits, the smallest
being fed upon by a larger one,
which in turn feeds a still larger one,
etc.

Savanna Projects

Make your own Savanna model!

Draw your own Savanna Habitat

Rainfall and Temperature

Interesting Facts about Savanna Biome

The savanna biome is mostly made up of grass but there are a few trees.
Because of the availability of grass in the savanna, there are many grazing animals who take advantage of this abundant
food supply.
The savanna biome is rich with herbivores such as elephants, zebras, gazelles, and buffalo.
The largest part of the savanna biome is located in Africa.
Almost half of Africa is considered a savanna.
Because of the extended periods of wet and dry climate in the savanna biome, the availability of food changes throughout
the year.
Some animals go so long without water during the dry season that they barely make it alive to the wet season.
The savanna biome receives about 59 inches of rain. Majority of this occurs during the wet season.
Although there are various types of soil in the savanna biome, it is not suitable for farming.
In the savanna biome, all the animals and plants are extremely dependent upon each other for a food supply. If one species
of animal were removed, the entire ecosystem would be altered.
Climate is very important in the savanna biome. If the rainfall decreases and/or the temperature increases, the animals and
plants will not be able to continue to survive.
The savanna in Africa is a big tourist attraction but the introduction of vehicles and humans into that environment is very
stressful to the plants and animals there.
The savanna remains warm all year long. During the wet season, the temperature is more pleasant with an average of 63 F.
There are many herbivores in the savanna biome which also bring many carnivores. Herbivores have developed traits which
help them escape predators such as being fast, being large, or being tall.
The savanna biome does have a long dry season so plants there have adapted to this climate. Some store water in their
roots and others extend their long roots deep into the ground to recover water from the water table.

Sources
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page.htm
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/
foodchain/producersconsumers.htm
http://www.softschools.com/facts/biomes/savanna_biome_facts
/163/