Tropical Continential Dry season in Savanna

(Overall info: not specific to dry )

Temperature Range: 16 C

Annual Precipitation: 0.25 cm. (0.1 in.). All months less than 0.25 cm. (0.1 in.)

Latitude Range: 15 to 25 N and S

Global Range: India, Indochina, West Africa, southern Africa, South America
and the north coast of Australia

Specific to dry
The dry season occurs from October through March and sometimes into April.
During this period, only about four inches of rainfall per month is to be expected.
The intense heat and little precipitation often cause rivers to dry up and plants to
die, causing animals to migrate to find food.
During this season, the temperature usually remains between 70 and 80 degrees
Fahrenheit.
The dry season, from May through to October exhibits dry, cool weather with little
rain, low humidity and wider-ranging temperatures.
Across the savannas the more stable dry season is characterised by prevailing dry
south-east winds (moister on the east coast), cooler temperatures, greater
temperature variation during the day, clear skies and low humidity. Light rains may
fall, particularly in the south-east portions, during the early winter months but can
occur in any month. Occasionally cold air from the south penetrates well into the
tropics and night-time temperatures may drop enough for frosts to form in some
inland regions in the east and west. As the dry progresses through August and
September the temperatures begin to rise as the sun moves more directly overhead
and the south-easterly winds begin to subside.
Plants of the savannas are highly specialized to grow in this environment of long
periods of drought. They have long tap roots that can reach the deep water table,
thick bark to resist annual fires, trunks that can store water, and leaves that drop of
during the dry season to conserve water. The grasses have adaptations that
discourage animals from grazing on them; some grasses are too sharp or bitter
tasting for some animals, but not others, to eat. The side benefit of this is that every
species of animal has something to eat. Different species will also eat different parts
of the grass. Many grasses grow from the bottom up, so that the growth tissue
doesn't get damaged by grazers. Many plants of the savanna also have storage
organs like bulbs and corms for making it though the dry season. In order for the
grasses to survive the dry season and the periodic fires, they have developed an
adaptation that allows them to grow quickly when there is adequate water. Then
when water becomes scarce, the grasses turn brown to limit water loss. They store
necessary moisture and nutrients in their roots while they await the return of the

rainy season. With food and water reserves stored below ground, the grasses are
able to survive the effects of fire as well. In fact, fire stimulates new growth and
replenishes the soil with nutrients. For example The baobab tree has adapted to the
savanna biome by only producing leaves during the wet season. When leaves do
grow, they are in tiny finger-like clusters. The small size of the leaves helps limit
water loss. Another adaptation that enables the baobab tree to survive the long
months of drought is its ability to store water in its large trunk.

Most of the animals on the savanna have long legs or wings to be able to go on long
migrations. Many burrow under ground to avoid the heat or raise their young. ( The
savanna is a perfect place for birds of prey like hawks and buzzards. The wide, open
plain provides them with a clear view of their prey, hot air updrafts keep them
soaring, and there is the occasional tree to rest on or nest in. Animals don't sweat to
lose body heat, so they lose it through panting or through large areas of exposed
skin, or ears, like those of the elephant.)