The climatic region located in the subequatorial zone, with characteristic grassy vegetation and small patches of trees and shrubs, is called savannah.
Savannas of Africa occupy more than 40% of the area of the continent. 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 savannas of Africa have a warm tropical climate. The dry winter period is pronounced. The average temperature of the hottest month is +30 °С and above, in the coldest month the temperature does not fall below +18 °С. Rainfall is no more than 2500 mm per year.
African savannah soil
In this region, the conditions for the development of plants are difficult - the soil contains almost no nutrients (or in very small quantities). During a drought, it dries up so much that deep cracks appear on the surface and fires often start. During the wet season, the soil becomes waterlogged.
African savanna vegetation
To survive, the savannah trees have acquired certain specific properties that protect them from drought and heat. The brightest representative of the savannah flora is the baobab. Diameterits trunk often reaches 8 meters. This giant grows up to 25 meters in height.
The thick baobab trunk and bark are able to accumulate moisture like a sponge. Long and powerful roots absorb moisture from the depths of the soil. Africans have learned to use the shoots and leaves of the baobab for food, and to make various tools from the bark.
Despite not the most favorable conditions, the flora of the savannah (Africa and other continents) is quite diverse. There are plants here that have adapted better than others to a drought that lasts more than one month.
Herbs
The savannah is very dense and juicy grass. For example, elephant, which has huge leaves up to 50 cm long and a stem about two meters. In addition, aloe and wild asparagus, as well as many cereals, are quite comfortable here.
Sausage tree
Very unusual (for a European) is the sausage tree growing in these places. It got its name due to unusual fruits that grow up to 50 cm in length. According to local residents, they are used in the treatment of rheumatism and syphilis. In addition, it is an obligatory attribute in rituals to exorcise evil spirits.
Looking at the photo of the African savanna, you can see that in these areas there are many different palm trees. And indeed it is. There are several types of similar trees.
In addition, the flora is rich in thorny bushes, mimosa - a favorite delicacy of giraffes.
It should be noted thatduring the period of drought in the savannah, all vegetation seems to freeze: often during this period the trees completely shed their leaves, the grass sometimes completely burns out under the hot sun. Fires are not uncommon here, from which vegetation suffers.
But when the rainy season comes, the nature of Africa comes to life again. Fresh juicy grass appears, various plants bloom.
Animals of Africa (savannas)
The vast expanses of the savannah are inhabited by many representatives of the fauna that have come to these parts due to migration phenomena, which are primarily associated with changing climatic conditions on Earth.
Millions of years ago, Africa was covered with rainforests, but gradually the climate became drier, and therefore huge areas of the forest disappeared forever. Their place was taken by light 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 to come here from the jungle were giraffes, followed by followers of elephants, antelopes of various species, monkeys and other herbivores. Quite naturally, predators such as servals, cheetahs, lions, jackals and others followed them into the savannah.
Antelopes and zebras
The appearance of the wildebeest 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 a mane, a fluffy tail. Next to themthere are always small herds of cute African horses - zebras.
Giraffes
Photos of the African savannah, which we see in textbooks, 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 the white colonists - they made coverings for wagons from their skins. Now giraffes are under protection, but their numbers are small.
Elephants
These are the largest land animals in Africa. Savannahs are unimaginable without huge steppe elephants. They differ from their forest counterparts in powerful tusks and wider ears. By the beginning of the 21st century, the number of elephants had greatly decreased, but thanks to conservation measures and the creation of nature reserves, today there are more elephants than in the last century.
Rhinos
The fate of the white and black rhinos that inhabit the African savannah causes serious concern for scientists. Their horns cost four times as much as elephant tusks. Therefore, they are the most desirable prey for poachers. Only the reserves created in Africa helped protect these animals from complete extermination.
Lions
The savannas of Africa are inhabited by many predators. Unconditional superiority among them have lions. They live in groups (prides). They include adultsand young. In prides, responsibilities are clearly distributed - young and mobile lionesses provide food for the family, and males protect the territory.
Leopards and cheetahs
These predators are a bit similar in appearance, but differ in their way of life. The main prey of the cheetah is the gazelle. The leopard is a universal hunter, he successfully hunts for warthogs (African wild pigs), baboons, small antelopes.
Hyenas
For a long time it was believed that this is a cowardly sedentary animal that does not hunt on its own and is content only with the remnants of the meal of lions. 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 zebra or antelope. And, most surprisingly, lions are more likely to "parasite" on hyenas, and not vice versa. Hearing their voices, the "kings of nature" rush to this place and drive the hyenas away from their prey. More recently, it has become known that hyenas attack people and can be very dangerous.
Birds
There are many insects and worms in the grass and soil, so the savannah fauna is distinguished by a large number of birds. They flock here from all over the world. The most common are storks, red-billed quillies, vultures, marabou, African ostriches, vultures, horned crows, etc. The largest and perhaps one of the most beautiful birds in the world live in the savannas - ostriches.
The picture of the animal world of the African continent would be incomplete if we did notTermites were mentioned. These insects have dozens of species. Their buildings are a characteristic element of the savanna landscape.
It should be noted that animals are very revered in Africa. After all, it is not for nothing that their images can be seen on the coats of arms of many African states: a lion - Congo and Kenya, zebras - Botswana, an elephant - Côte d'Ivoire.
The fauna of the African savannah has developed over the centuries as an independent entity. The degree of adaptation of animals to specific conditions is unusually high. It can be attributed to a strict division according to the method of nutrition and the composition of the feed. Some use the shoots of young shrubs, others use the bark, others use the buds and buds of plants. In addition, different animals take the same shoots from different heights.
Conclusion
The savannah of South Africa is a place where diametrically opposed landscapes and amazing ecosystems combine in an amazing way. The harsh struggle for life in these places is in amazing harmony with the luxurious nature, and the richness of flora and fauna - with attractive exoticism and African flavor.
