Most of the herbivores in the Savanna biome are dependent on the multitude of grasses present. Large herds roam the plains, following the rains to receive the highest benefit from grazing. Savannas consist of a variety of herbaceous and woody plants, leading to a diversity of animals surviving here. Birds, insects, reptiles and mammals are dependent on the vegetation in the savanna, but no more indirectly so, than the predators. An abundance of nutrient rich plants leads to an abundance of prey for the hunters. There exists both a top down and a bottom up control in savannas. The cycle of energy only restarts when a predator dies.
Woody Vegetation
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Common Hookthorn (Acacia caffra)
Small to medium sized perennial tree with hook-like thorns. It carries it seeds in light brown pods, and the flowers are carried on elongated structures. The leaves are feather-like. These trees occur in bushveld and grasslands. Traditionally the bark and leaves can be used for problems with the gastro-intestinal tract. The wood of the tree can also be used as building materials or fire wood.
Small to medium sized perennial tree with hook-like thorns. It carries it seeds in light brown pods, and the flowers are carried on elongated structures. The leaves are feather-like. These trees occur in bushveld and grasslands. Traditionally the bark and leaves can be used for problems with the gastro-intestinal tract. The wood of the tree can also be used as building materials or fire wood.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/1180709.png)
_ Camel thorn (Acacia erioloba)
Medium to large tree with a twisted, bent branches and a flat top. Thorns occur in pairs, fused at the base. Leaves are compound and feather-like. Yellow flowers are carried in spherical florescence. Pods are massive, woody and have a velvety texture. These pods are favoured by cattle and wild animals. The glue contained in the bark is edible and the strong wood can be used for mine tunnel supports as well as handles for machinery.
Medium to large tree with a twisted, bent branches and a flat top. Thorns occur in pairs, fused at the base. Leaves are compound and feather-like. Yellow flowers are carried in spherical florescence. Pods are massive, woody and have a velvety texture. These pods are favoured by cattle and wild animals. The glue contained in the bark is edible and the strong wood can be used for mine tunnel supports as well as handles for machinery.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/6728002.png)
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Candle thorn (Acacia hebeclada)
This small tree can reach up to 7m. Its growth form varies, depending on the climate and nutrients available. It is often wider than it is high, resembling a flattened pillow. Thorns appear in pairs at the nodes on the branches. Leaves also occur at the nodes and can be carried singly or in groups of eight. These leaves appear bluish-green and have a hairy appearance. The pods are large and very distinctive, containing up to 10 seeds each. Flowers occur in an inflorescence, are cream to pale yellow and attract many flying insects.
This small tree can reach up to 7m. Its growth form varies, depending on the climate and nutrients available. It is often wider than it is high, resembling a flattened pillow. Thorns appear in pairs at the nodes on the branches. Leaves also occur at the nodes and can be carried singly or in groups of eight. These leaves appear bluish-green and have a hairy appearance. The pods are large and very distinctive, containing up to 10 seeds each. Flowers occur in an inflorescence, are cream to pale yellow and attract many flying insects.
Herbaceous Vegetation
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Common finger grass (Digitaria eriantha)
This species can grow up to 1m tall. It can grow as a dense tussock, or as a continuous grass sward. The leaf sheaths can be either with or without hairs. These leaf blades can be up to 60cm long and 14mm wide. This grass is used for grazing and has a high nutritive value.
This species can grow up to 1m tall. It can grow as a dense tussock, or as a continuous grass sward. The leaf sheaths can be either with or without hairs. These leaf blades can be up to 60cm long and 14mm wide. This grass is used for grazing and has a high nutritive value.
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Stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis)
A tropical grass found in East and Central Africa. It lacks any rhizomes, and grows by means of woody stolons which grow flat on the ground. The blades resemble swords and are flat and elongated. It can survive in dry areas, but doesn’t tolerate shade. It is commonly used for rotational grazing, erosion and weed control.
A tropical grass found in East and Central Africa. It lacks any rhizomes, and grows by means of woody stolons which grow flat on the ground. The blades resemble swords and are flat and elongated. It can survive in dry areas, but doesn’t tolerate shade. It is commonly used for rotational grazing, erosion and weed control.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/6331549.png)
Red oat grass (Themeda triandra)
A tufted grass that can grow op to 180cm tall. The green-grey leaf blades turn to a characteristic orange-brown when summer comes along. It is the most common grass found in the savannah biome. It has some drought tolerance, and it can survive fires, since its seeds are buried below ground. The grains can be eaten by people, however it is mostly used for animal bedding, and it provides fibres for paper making, basked weaving and thatching.
A tufted grass that can grow op to 180cm tall. The green-grey leaf blades turn to a characteristic orange-brown when summer comes along. It is the most common grass found in the savannah biome. It has some drought tolerance, and it can survive fires, since its seeds are buried below ground. The grains can be eaten by people, however it is mostly used for animal bedding, and it provides fibres for paper making, basked weaving and thatching.
Invertebrates
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Red harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus)
They have a reddish brown head and thorax, with a black underbelly. The collect grass seeds in large quantities, but also preys on other insects. They don’t follow smell trails like other ants. They have a painful venomous sting, and are able to bite. Nests occur in open areas lacking any vegetation, and are simply a hole in the ground.
They have a reddish brown head and thorax, with a black underbelly. The collect grass seeds in large quantities, but also preys on other insects. They don’t follow smell trails like other ants. They have a painful venomous sting, and are able to bite. Nests occur in open areas lacking any vegetation, and are simply a hole in the ground.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/4027565.png)
Grasshopper (Acrididae)
Their most noticeable characteristic is their big hind legs that they use to propel themselves when jumping. They have wings that are about the same length as their body, compound eyes and short feelers. Although the wings are sometimes colourful, their bodies are mostly pale colours. Feed on live plant material. Females lay their eggs under ground, and the eggs hatch after a month. Males rub hind legs together to produce shrill buzzing sound.
Their most noticeable characteristic is their big hind legs that they use to propel themselves when jumping. They have wings that are about the same length as their body, compound eyes and short feelers. Although the wings are sometimes colourful, their bodies are mostly pale colours. Feed on live plant material. Females lay their eggs under ground, and the eggs hatch after a month. Males rub hind legs together to produce shrill buzzing sound.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/651557.png)
Termite (Termitidae)
They form colonies which consist of a queen, soldiers and workers. They have a reddish brown head, with a pale, soft body. They build round mounds in which the colony lives. They queen can lay up to 20 000 eggs per day, and most of these eggs develop to form workers.
They form colonies which consist of a queen, soldiers and workers. They have a reddish brown head, with a pale, soft body. They build round mounds in which the colony lives. They queen can lay up to 20 000 eggs per day, and most of these eggs develop to form workers.
Amphibians and Reptiles
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Great Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus validus)
Can grow op to a length of 60cm. The body is flattened and covered with square scales. The juveniles have yellow spots on back and stripes on sides, but these markings fade to small lines on the adults. Feeds on insects, flowers, soft fruits and certain leaves.
Can grow op to a length of 60cm. The body is flattened and covered with square scales. The juveniles have yellow spots on back and stripes on sides, but these markings fade to small lines on the adults. Feeds on insects, flowers, soft fruits and certain leaves.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/1177123.png)
Savannah Monitor Lizard (Varanus albigularis)
The body and head is covered by round, bead-like scales. Tan coloured, with black stains. It can grow up to 130cm, and is thus one of the larger lizards in the biome. The tail and body are the same length. Feeds on insects and millipedes. It isn’t venomous, but has a ferocious bite and uses tail as a whip.
The body and head is covered by round, bead-like scales. Tan coloured, with black stains. It can grow up to 130cm, and is thus one of the larger lizards in the biome. The tail and body are the same length. Feeds on insects and millipedes. It isn’t venomous, but has a ferocious bite and uses tail as a whip.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/719432.png)
Cape file snake (Mehelya capensis)
It has a thick body and a flat head. Can grow up to 150cm long. The scales on the body are cone shaped. The scales covering the spine are large and white. Apart from the white stripe on the spine, the snake is grey-brown with a cream underside. It is shy and never bites to ward of danger. It successfully preys on other snakes and small vertebrates.
It has a thick body and a flat head. Can grow up to 150cm long. The scales on the body are cone shaped. The scales covering the spine are large and white. Apart from the white stripe on the spine, the snake is grey-brown with a cream underside. It is shy and never bites to ward of danger. It successfully preys on other snakes and small vertebrates.
Birds
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White backed vulture (Gyps africanus)
It has cream-coloured feathers and when in flight a white cross is visible. The feathers on the back are completely white. It is an endemic species that breeds in the trees in the savannah and move around in flocks. It is a scavenger and feeds on carcasses of mammals.
It has cream-coloured feathers and when in flight a white cross is visible. The feathers on the back are completely white. It is an endemic species that breeds in the trees in the savannah and move around in flocks. It is a scavenger and feeds on carcasses of mammals.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/4061922.png)
Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax)
Their feathers are pale yellow-brown to dark brown. The main characteristic of this species is that the mouth corners of this bird are orange and stretch till beneath the eyes. No white can be seen when in flight. They have black flight feathers and tail feathers. They feed on a variety of animals, by actively hunting from a perch or scavenging.
Their feathers are pale yellow-brown to dark brown. The main characteristic of this species is that the mouth corners of this bird are orange and stretch till beneath the eyes. No white can be seen when in flight. They have black flight feathers and tail feathers. They feed on a variety of animals, by actively hunting from a perch or scavenging.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/3641860.png)
Lappet-faced vulture (Aegypius tracheliotus)
This species has a characteristic red head and neck, while the rest of the body is covered in black feathers. The legs and feet are covered by white feathers. It scavenges animal carcasses. It mostly occurs alone and nests in tops of trees.
This species has a characteristic red head and neck, while the rest of the body is covered in black feathers. The legs and feet are covered by white feathers. It scavenges animal carcasses. It mostly occurs alone and nests in tops of trees.
Mammals
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Impala (Aepyceros meampus melampus)
The neck, back and rump is reddish-brown, the flanks are light brown and the underbelly is off-white. At the top of the head is a black marking, and there are also black lines on the rump. Scent glands are located on the hind legs. Females lack the lyrate shaped horns. They form large breeding herds. They feed on leaves, favouring the acacias.
The neck, back and rump is reddish-brown, the flanks are light brown and the underbelly is off-white. At the top of the head is a black marking, and there are also black lines on the rump. Scent glands are located on the hind legs. Females lack the lyrate shaped horns. They form large breeding herds. They feed on leaves, favouring the acacias.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/5011456.png)
Scrub hare (Lepus saxatillis)
This hare is one of South Africa’s more common small mammals. It is pale coloured with black and grey spots, with a white underside and a white tail. There is also a white spot on the forehead. They are nocturnal and lay under shrubs in daytime. They are grazers and feed on the stems of grass.
This hare is one of South Africa’s more common small mammals. It is pale coloured with black and grey spots, with a white underside and a white tail. There is also a white spot on the forehead. They are nocturnal and lay under shrubs in daytime. They are grazers and feed on the stems of grass.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/9460698.png)
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
A graceful cat with long legs. Back and flanks are off-white with black spots. The underbelly is white. The black spots transform to solid rings as it reaches the end of the tail. Characteristic feature is the black “tear-stains” that go from the eyes to the corners of the mouth. They are the fastest land animals and can run up to 100km/h. They are solitary animals, but sometimes form small family groups.
A graceful cat with long legs. Back and flanks are off-white with black spots. The underbelly is white. The black spots transform to solid rings as it reaches the end of the tail. Characteristic feature is the black “tear-stains” that go from the eyes to the corners of the mouth. They are the fastest land animals and can run up to 100km/h. They are solitary animals, but sometimes form small family groups.