Survival of the Fittest

Tropical grasslands form where there is not enough rain for a forest to grow, but it is not dry enough to become a desert.

The tropical grasslands range from huge areas of dry grass to woodland savannah. During the rainy season, it is rich in plant and animal life, but, when the drought arrives, survival is the name of the game.

During the dry season, the vegetation dies and life becomes very hard for the animals. Much of the wildlife, including many species of bird and mammal, migrate, while insects can spend the whole season as eggs, pupa or buried in the ground.

When the summer rains arrive, the grasses and plants spring back to life and herds of grazing animals return. Insects and leaves provide food for much of the wildlife, which is, in turn, fed on by carnivores such as lions.

In the hot grasslands, you've got to outsmart your enemies to survive.

From stripey zebras outsmarting their predators to ostriches running at 70 km/h, every animal has adapted to survive in its own unique way.

Zebra

Found - The African Savannah

Threats - Habitat in danger

At the Zoo - Hartmanns Zebra - the only group of this sub-species in the UK

Did you know? - The zebra's stripes make it difficult for predators to pick one from the herd to attack. Camouflage by confusion!

African Lion

Found - The African Savannah

Threats - Habitat in danger and hunting

At the Zoo - Sadly, only one male lion remaining. Zoe, the lioness died in 2005 due to old age.

Did you know? - The female (lioness) is responsible for hunting in the wild, while the male's job is to provide protection.

Ostrich

Found - The African Savannah

Threats - Numbers declining due to hunting and habitat destruction

Did you know? - An ostrich can run at up to 70 km/h. Their eggs are up to 20 times bigger than a hen's egg.

Sitatunga

Found - Africa

Habitat - Swampy savannah, along the river's edge

Threats - Habitat in danger

Did you know? - They have developed a shaggy, waterproof coat to protect them from harsh conditions.

Grassland Problems

For many years, the biggest threat to the tropical grasslands has been man. His habit of trying to turn large areas of savannah into land for crops and farm animals results in huge areas turning into desert. This upsets the balance of nature and makes it harder for animals and plants to survive.

How Can You Help?

* Visit and donate to national parks

* Don't buy souvenirs made from animals

* Support your local zoo

Quick Facts !

* Annual rainfall - 600 - 1500 mm

* Temperature - 20 - 30 degrees C

* Total area of planet covered - 2%

* Area lost in last 5000 years - 89%

* World importance - Fast, hardy plants such as grasses can help prevent deserts spreading.

* Threats - Farming and overgrazing by farm animals. Deserts are formed through this and climate change.

* Amazing Fact! - The grass in the savannah can grow up to 3 metres tall.