The Savanna is located on the African continent of (Kenya) and within North America the Savanna is specifically located in Kansas. In the U.S.A., the Savanna is located inland vs. the coast, and is really in the center of the country.

On this web page, we will be focusing on the Savanna located in Kenya, on the continent of Africa. The Savanna located in Africa is located on the coast rather than inland.

The climate in the Kenyan Savanna is very pleasant due to many factors. One factor is the country's altitude. They experience heavy rain from March to May, and lighter rains from October to December.

Kingdoms

Plantae- Rhynchelytrum neriglume / Grass

Sarcolaenaceae/ Shrub

Acacia Tree

Fungi- Argocybe aegerita / Fungus/ mold

Monera- Blue/green Bacteria

 

CLASSIFICATION

One vertebrate that lives in the Savanna is the Antelope-Tragelaphus spekei . The antelope is a solitary animal and most of the time it is nocturnal. The antelope hide in the swamps by day, and by night they roam the savanna by themselves. The antelope could weigh over 100 kilograms.

Another vertebrate that lives in the Savanna is the Gecko- Order-Squamata, Class-Reptilia, Family-Gekkonidae. The Gecko is a small nocturnal (vertebrate) lizard with a translucent body. It also has small adhesive pads on its toes which allow it to scurry up onto walls and look for its prey such as insects and moths.

A third vertebrate of the Savanna is the tiger-Panthera tigris. These animals work in herds and are the largest of the cat family.

One invertebrate is the African Dung Beetle- Order Coleopatera. These beetles help with the decomposition of waste by carring the dung of other animals to their larvae to eat. They also have soft bodies.

Another is an earthworm- Phylum Annelida Class Oligochaeta. They live in warm moist soil. They chrun up the ground when they move. Also they help in decomposition of waste.

FOOD WEB

 

One organism that inhabits the Kenya Savanna is the tiger. The tiger has stripes which helps to blend it into forests and grasses. The ears on a tiger are superior for hearing, and for catching prey but also for protection. The tiger is built for power and speed to allow it to catch its prey. Their tongue is very rough, and helps them to clean bones quickly. Another quality that allows them to see and catch prey are their whiskers, which help in feeling. The eyes on a tiger's head face forward which allows them to find prey easily and catch it.

Another organism that lives in the Kenya Savanna is the antelope. The antelope has dark skin which helps it blend in at night with muddy swamp areas. The muscular legs of the antelope help it to run away from attacking predators. Its hooves can spread out to act as support when going across muddy areas. Finally, their horns protect them from other antelopes and predators.

The African wild dogs are becoming extinct because of urbanization. They are nomadic animals and require 600-1500 miles of land to graze a year. Therefore, Africa is getting too small for them to roam and feed. Their prey is also dying out, due to the lack of food. There are only about 4000-5000 African Wild Dogs left.

In the Kenyan Savanna, symbiosis occurs in mostly mutual beneficial situations. One of which is between the antelope and the parasite eating bird. The antelope attracts many different types of parasites and the bird eats the parasite off of the antelope. Therefore, the bird gets a meal and the antelope is cleaned of the parasites and harmful bugs.

WEBLIOGRAPHY

"Animals of Africa" URL:http://www.youngman.demon.co.uk/mman2 (Oct 19 1999)

"Kenya" URL:http://www.Africa.com/Kenya (Oct. 18 1999)

"Maps" URL:http://maps.excite.com/address_results/?S...E=esrcountry. (Oct. 19 1999)

"Endangered Species" URL:http://www.amnh.org/Exhibition. (Oct. 20 1999)

"Tiger Adaptations" URL:http://zooatlanta.org. (Oct. 20 1999)

Curry-Lindahl, Kai. Wildlife of the Prairies and Plains. Chanticleer Press, Inc. New York, 1981.

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