Savannah

Savannah: Clare My Prezi: [] -A savannah is a grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated trees, which can be found between a tropical rainforest and a desert biome. -Not enough rain falls on the savannah to support a forest. -Savannahs are also known as tropical grasslands. -They are found on either side of the equator on the edges of tropical rain forests. -Warm temperature year round They have two very different seasons: Different types of savannahs: Plants on the Savannah: Animals in the Savannah:
 * Summer: wet season-includes about 15 to 25 inches of rain each season
 * Winter: very long dry season- about 4 inches of rain and temps are around 70 degrees
 * The Serengeti Plains of Tanzania- in east africa
 * Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela - south america
 * specialized to grow in long periods of drought
 * they have long tap roots, thick bark,and leaves that drop off during the winter to conserve water
 * many have storage organs like bulbs and corms for making it through the dry season.
 * most have long legs or wings to travel far on long migrations.
 * many burrow underground to avoid the heat and raise thier young
 * they dont sweat to lose body heat, they lose it through panting or through large areas of of exposed skin.
 * Ex: cheetahs, elephants, lions, leopards, jackals, hyenas, zebra, koala bear, nile crocodile

-The Savanna biome is the largest biome in southern Africa. Its covers 46% of its area. -All species are adapted to survive fires. -Usually less than 10% of the plants are killed by fires. -Average annual rainfall: 59 inches -Average Temperatures in the Dry Season: 93 degrees -Average Tempertaures in the Wet Season: 61 degrees -The savanna harbors the largest mammal, herbivore biodiversity on the planet. __Reptilia:__ Nile Crocodile(Crocodylus niloticus) Black Mamba(Dendroaspis polylepis) __Avia:__ Purple-crested Lourie(Gallirex porphyreolophus) Tiger Shrike(Lanius tigrinus) __Mammalia:__ Cheetah(Acinonyx jubatus) Giraffe(Giraffa camelopardalis) __Amphibia:__ Natal Banana Frog(Afrixalus spinifrons) Poison Dart Frog(Dendrobatidae) __Arachnida:__ Banana Spider(Nephila clavipes) Emperor Scorpion(Pandinus imperator) __Insecta:__ Nigriceps Ants(Crematorgastor nigriceps) African Leopard butterfly(Phalanta phalanta) __Diplopada:__ Bristly millipede(Polyxenus lagurus) Black millipede(Cylindroiulus) __Rhabditea:__ Transparent roundworm(Caenorhabditis elegans) Parasite nematode filarial(Wuchereria bancrofti) __Enoplea:__ Needle nematode(Longidorus africanus) Stubby root nematode(Trichodorus spp.) __Secerneutea:__ Hookworm(Necator americanus) Pin worm(Enterobius vermicularis)
 * Chordates:**
 * Arthropods:**
 * Nematodes:**

-nile crocodiles swim with their tails and they use their webbed feet to submerge quickly. -Weigh up to 2,200 pounds and can get to 21 feet long -they can lay up to 50 eggs -their life span can range from 50 to 75 years -out of all reptiles they have the best senses(they can hear their young calling from their eggshells) -they are carnivores and eat about anything in or near the water such as: turtles, frogs, birds,pigs, deer, buffalo, and monkeys -they dont chew their food, they tear off pieces and swallow it whole -they can hold their breath under water for more than an hour and swim over 20 mph. Fun facts: crocodiles keep growing all their lives and a crocs tounge doesnt move-its attatched to the bottom of its mouth Predators: people Habitat: they need a water like habitat-saltwater Crocodiles wouldnt be able to be in the same habitat with another animal because they would probably end up eating it but they can live in the same habitat with other crocodiles. I chose a crocodile because I think that most people want to see them because they are dangerous and scary. Being able to see a crocodile up close without encountering them by your own home would be great because then people wouldnt be scared of them. Black Mamba -considered the worlds deadliest snake -they are fast, lethally venemous, and highly aggressive -Aficas longest venemous snake reaching from 8 to 14 feet long -they are also the worlds fastest snake...they can get up to 12 mph -average life span: 11 years -they can weigh up to 4 pounds -when they strike, they strike multiple times -they get their name from the blue-black color inside their mouth, which they display when threatened. -the black mambas bite is 100% fatal and you die within 20 minutes -their food they eat consists of: rats, squrrels, mice, birds, bush babies Predators: only people Fun Fact: they use thier incredible speed to escape threats, not hunt prey. Habitat: savannas and rocky hills(hollow trees, burrows, and rock crevices) You wouldnt be able to put black mambas in the same habitat with another animal because it would kill the other animal. The reason i chose the black mamba is because it is the most deadliest snake and i think it would be interesting to see even if it is the most deadliest. Purple Crested Lourie -they eat mainly fruit -the nest is built by both sexes by gathering sticks and handing them off to one another -the female lays 2-4 eggs, which are incubated by both sexes about 25 days -the babies leave the nest unable to fly but after about a week they can fly Habitat: woodland, trees, coastal forests Predator: deforestation, Turacos, people These birds could probly be in the same habitat with some other birds that they arent predators with. I chose this bird because it is very eye appealing to me and i think it would be to other people as well. Tiger Shrike -feeds on small animals(mice and small birds), insects, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, -lays 3 to 6 eggs and incubates them for 14-16 days -the young fledge around for two weeks and they they fly around and stay close to the nest for two more weeks -typically hunts from a perch at the forest egde -breeding season is from May to July -thick blue-black tipped bill that helps them get their prey Habitat: lowland forests or cultivated fields These birds would be able to be in another habitat with another bird species that was bigger than it but one that wouldnt harm it. I chose this bird because i think that many people havnt heard of it before and i think they would like to see an animal that they have never seen before. Cheetah -fastest mammal on land -can reach up to 60-70 mph -usually chases its prey at about half the speed -it has excellent eyesight that helps it hunt during the day -its spotted coat helps it blend in with the tall grass so its prey cant spot it -adult cheetahs weigh from 86 to 143 pounds -eat animals such as: rabbits, impalas, wildebeest calves, and gazelles -after a chase the cheetah needs a half hour to catch its breath before it eats its prey -when running full speed a cheetah can cover 23 feet in just four footfalls -females usually bear three to five cubs in a litter -its tail, fully grown, meaures 26-33 inches long -cheetah cubs stay with their mother until they are 12 to 20 months old -they can live 10 to 12 years -when cheetahs run they use their tail to help them steer and turn in the direction they need to go -cheetahs cant roar like big cats, they purr Habitat: open savanna Predator: bigger cats, people The cheetah would need to be in its own place in the zoo because it would probly kill anything you put with it. Do not put any other bigger cats with them. I chose the cheetah because Shayla likes them and because i like them too but not as much as her. I also think they are very pretty animals and i think alot of people like to see them. Giraffe -worlds tallest mammals -a giraffes legs on average are taller than humans- about 6 feet tall -the long legs allow the giraffes to run about 35 mph -they typically roam the grasslands in a group of about 6 -their height gives them the ability to reach for leaves and buds at the top of the trees that no other animal can reach. -their tounge helps them pluck the leaves and it is about 21 inches long on average. -thier height also helps them keep an eye out for predators across the savanna -their height is also a disadvantage because when they drink water they have to spread their legs and get down low which makes them easy to hunt for predators. -females giver birth standing up and the baby has to fall about 5 feet to the ground when born -after an hour the baby can fun right along side its mother. -they live about 25 years -their average height ranges from 14 to 19 feet tall -their weight is about 1750-2800 pounds Predator: humas, big cats-lions,tigers The giraffe would be able to be in a habitat with other animals that arent their predators. I think that you could put them with Zebras becuase they wouldnt harm eachother. I chose the giraffe because i think they are a very unique animal and i think that people need to see them once in their lifetime. You never know when an animal could become close to extinction. Natal Banana Frog Poison Dart Frog -highly toxic -they can have different coloring like yellow, gold, copper, blue, red, or black -thier designs are to ward off predators -the male carries the eggs on its back to keep them safe and transport them -their size is about two inches long or about the size of a paper clip -they have enough poison to kill ten grown men -scientists have been doing studies on the venom and they have discovered that they can use the poison as form as a painkiller. -scientists believe that they get their toxic poison from plants around them. -when they are raised in captivity they do not develop the poison -they live from 3 years to 15 years Predator: a snake called Leimadophis epinephelus because it is the only animal that has resistance to its poison Habitat: tropical/temperate forests These frogs wouldnt be able to be in a hanitat with other animals because it would just kill the animals with its poison so it will need to be in its own habitat. I chose this frog because only the snake is its only natural predator and nothing else wants to eat it otherwise the animal would die. Banana Spider -also reffered to as the Golden Silk spider -they are very harmless to people -their bite just leaves a red welt and they dont have venom -they are very non aggressive spiders -they are bebficial because they eat other insects and other harmful spiders -they can build a web up to 12 foot wide -their bodies are about the size of your finger and their legs can get up to 5 inches long -they mate for days but then after they mate the male goes away -it takes about a season for them to develop their eggs -thier bite is milder than a bee sting Habitat: anywhere except cold places Predators: wasps I think these spiders wouldnt be able to be with other spiders in a habitat because the banana spiders would probly eat the other spiders. I chose this species because i would like to see one of their huge webs that they make and i would like to see the color of the web too(it is said to be a golden color) Emperor Scorpion -one of the largest scorpions in the world -they are active in the late hours of the day -they rely on their large claws to catch their prey -their tail has a venemous stinger on the tip of it -females give birth to live young and carry them around on their back -they help control insect populations -they feed on ground dwelling insects and occasionally small vertebrates(mice or baby lizards) -burrow into the soil or can be found under rocks,logs, and forest debris -they hunt at night -they have poor eyesight but they have good hearing and a good sense of touch Predators:bats, birds, small mammals Habitat:tropical forests or savannas Scorpions would have to be in their own habitat otherwise they would harm the other animals and kill them. I chose this scorpion because it is the most popular scorpion in the world. Nigricep Ant -they live in trees and if something disturbs a branch then they come pouring out of the tree to sting whatever bothered the tree. -their antennae allow them to to pick up the scent of different chemicals or pheromones that ants use to communicate -the abdomen contains the poison sack and the stinger -they dont live on the ground like other ants because the ground becomes cracked in the dry season and spongy in the rainy season. Predator: other competitive ants Habitat: inside of trees(the whistling thorn acacia) These ants would have to live in the whistling thorn acacia trees because they are their only habitat that they live in. You wouldnt want to put them with any other animal because the ants would get eaten or the ants would sting the other animals. I chose this species because they seemed interesting to me and i think they are fun to learn about. African Leopard Butterfly -wingspan is about 50-55 mm -they are sun loving and avoids shade -they have active and sharp flight movements -like to go mudpuddling either alone or in groups of about a dozen -they also like dry places too -they eat pollen from many different flowers Habitat: near forests that have lots of flowers Predators: birds These butterflies can live in a habitat with other butterflies because they wont harm the others I chose this butterfly because it looked pretty and i think the people would love to see it since it is rare Bristly Millipede Black Millipede Transparent Roundworm -microscopic nematode -1 mm -normally lives in the soil -it is so small it can be raised in petri dishes -reproduces rapidly -it is transparents so that every cell in the living animal can be seen under the microscope -only lives about 2-3 weeks -they are hermaphrodites, producing both egg and sperm -most of the time they fertilize themselves -it is a true animal with at least rudiments of the physiological systems These animals would have to be in their own place because we would have to look at them under the microscope. I chose this animal because i think that people would like to look at them under a microscope in the zoo Parasite Nematode Filarial -you mainly get this from mosquitos when they bite and suck blood -they can measure from 80-100 mm -the mosquitos are their intermediate hosts and humans are the definitive hosts -this parasite has a life cycle that consists of several steps. -the parasites are transferred into the human when the mosquito sucks blood -from there it moves to the lymph nodes and in about a year it becomes an adult. This parasite would need to be in a petri dish so we could see it unter a microscope I chose this species because it is something that people should know about because it deals with humans. Needle Nematode -they are the cause of most corn diseases -it is hard to identify it when it comes along -you cant fix the problem once it gets started -they are resposible for supression of corn yields These nematodes will need to be in a petri dish or on a slide so you can see them under a microscope. I chose this nematode because it effects are agrucultural industry and people should know about it. Stubby Root Nematode -they occur mostly in mint -they generally do best in sandy soil -their life cycle is completed in about 3 weeks -when the nematodes eat they stunt the growth of the root tip -thus getting the name "stubby root nematode" The stubby root nematode will need to be in a petri dish or on a slide so we can see it under a microscope. I chose this nematode because it is something here in world that people need to know about because it effects us. Hookworm Pinworm
 * Nile Crocodile**