Savannah of Africa: photo. Animals of the savannah of Africa

The climatic region, located in the subequatorial belt, with characteristic grassy vegetation and small inclusions of trees and shrubs, is called savannah.

Savannas of Africa occupy more than 40% of the continent's area. They are distinguished by a diverse fauna and flora. Moreover, according to scientists, this is one of the most environmentally friendly regions of the planet.

Climate

The savanna of Africa enjoys a warm tropical climate. The dry winter period is pronounced. The average temperature of the hottest month is +30 ° C and above, in the coldest month the temperature does not drop below +18 ° С. Precipitation is not more than 2500 mm per year.

Soil of savanna of Africa

In this region, the conditions for the development of plants are severe - the soil practically does not contain nutrients (or in very small quantities). During the drought, it dries up so much that deep cracks appear on the surface and fires often occur. During the wet season, the soil becomes waterlogged.

Vegetation of the savannah of Africa

To survive, the trees of the savanna have acquired certain specific properties that protect them from drought and heat. The brightest representative of the savannah flora is the baobab. The diameter of its trunk often reaches 8 meters. In height, this giant grows to 25 meters.

The thick trunk of the baobab and the bark are capable of accumulating moisture, like a sponge. Long and powerful roots absorb moisture from the depth of the soil. Africans have learned to use shoots and leaves of baobab for food, and from the bark to make different tools.

Despite not the most favorable conditions, the plant world of the savannah (Africa and other continents) is quite diverse. Here there are plants that are better than others adapted to the drought, lasting more than one month.

Herbs

In the savannah is very thick and juicy grass. For example, an elephant that has huge leaves up to 50 cm long and a stem about two meters high. In addition, aloe and wild asparagus are quite comfortable here, as well as a lot of cereal plants.

Sausage tree

Very unusual (for the European) is the sausage tree growing in these places. Its name is due to unusual fruits that grow to a length of 50 cm According to local residents, they are used in the treatment of rheumatism and syphilis. In addition, it is an obligatory attribute in rituals for the expulsion of evil spirits.

Looking at the photo of the savanna of Africa, you can see that in these areas there are many different palm trees. And indeed it is. There are several kinds of trees here.

In addition, the plant world is rich in prickly bushes, mimosas - the favorite dainty giraffes.

It should be noted that during the drought in the savannah, all vegetation seems to freeze: often during this period the trees completely discard leaves, the grass sometimes completely burn out under the hot sun. There are frequent fires, from which vegetation suffers.

But when the rainy season comes, the nature of Africa comes to life again. Appears fresh juicy grass, various plants blossom.

Animals of Africa (savanna)

In the vast expanses of the savannah, many fauna live in these lands due to migration phenomena, which, above all, are associated with changes in climatic conditions on the Earth.

Millions of years ago, Africa was covered by rain forests, but gradually the climate became drier, and therefore the huge parts of the forest have irretrievably disappeared. Their place was taken by sparse forests and fields overgrown with grassy vegetation. In turn, this contributed to the emergence of new animals that were looking for favorable conditions for life. According to scientists, the first of the jungle came here giraffes, followed by followers of elephants, antelopes of various species, monkeys and other herbivores. It is only natural that after them savages headed for the savanna - servals, cheetahs, lions, jackals and others.

Antelopes and zebras

Appearance of the wildebeest antelope is so peculiar that it is difficult to confuse it with another animal - a dense and short body on disproportionately thin legs, a heavy head decorated with sharp horns and manes, a fluffy tail. Next to them, there are always small small cute little African horses - zebras.

Giraffes

Photos of the savannah of Africa, which we see in textbooks, advertising brochures of travel companies, necessarily show us one of the typical representatives of the fauna of these places - giraffes. Once the number of these animals was very large, but they were the first to suffer from white colonists - from their skins they made a cover for wagons. Now giraffes are under protection, but their number is small.

Elephants

These are the largest land animals in Africa. Savannah can not imagine without huge steppe elephants. From their forest counterparts they are distinguished by powerful tusks and broader ears. By the beginning of the XXI century, the number of elephants was very reduced, but thanks to conservation measures and the establishment of reserves today, elephants are more than in the last century.

Rhinoceroses

The fate of white and black rhinos inhabiting the African savannah, causes serious fears of scientists. Their horns cost four times as much as the elephant's tusks. Therefore, they are the most coveted prey of poachers. Only the reserves created in Africa helped to save these animals from complete extermination.

Lions

Savannah of Africa is inhabited by many predators. Unconditional superiority among them have lions. They live in groups (prides). They include adults and young. In pride duties are clearly distributed - young and mobile lionesses provide the family with food, and males guard the territory.

Leopards and cheetahs

These predators are slightly similar to each other externally, but differ in lifestyle. The main production of a cheetah is a gazelle. Leopard - a universal hunter, he successfully hunts for warthogs (African wild pigs), baboons, small antelope.

Hyenas

For a long time it was believed that this cowardly inactive animal, not self-hunting and content only with the remains of the lions meal. As modern scientists have found out, this is far from the case. Hyenas hunt at night, they quite easily kill even large animals, such as a zebra or antelope. And, most surprisingly, these lions are more likely to "parasitize" on hyenas, and not vice versa. Hearing their voices, the "kings of nature" hurry to this place and drive away the hyenas from the prey. Most recently it became known that hyenas attack people and can be very dangerous.

Birds

In the grass and soil, many insects and worms are found, so the fauna of the savannah is distinguished by a large number of representatives of birds. They come here from all over the world. The most common storks, red-billed quillies, vultures, marabou, African ostriches, vultures, horned crows, etc. In savannahs live the largest and, perhaps, one of the most beautiful birds in the world - ostriches.

The picture of the animal world of the African continent would be incomplete if we did not mention termites. These insects number dozens of species. Their buildings are a characteristic element of the savanna landscape.

It should be noted that animals are very revered in Africa. It's not for nothing that their images can be seen on the arms of many African states: the lion - Congo and Kenya, the zebra - Botswana, the elephant - Côte d'Ivoire.

The animal world of the savannah of Africa has for centuries developed as an independent whole. The degree of fitness of animals to specific conditions is unusually high. To it it is possible to carry a strict division by a way of a food and structure of forages. Some use shoots of young shrubs, others - bark, others - buds and buds of plants. In addition, the same shoots different animals take from different heights.

Conclusion

Savannah of southern Africa is a place where diametrically opposed landscapes and amazing ecosystems are combined in an amazing way. The harsh struggle for life in these places is in surprising harmony with the magnificent nature, and the richness of the plant and animal world - with a fascinating exotic and African flavor.