Preface. A very brief study of a few of the endangered species of African Animals and their habitats all under threat.

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1 Preface A very brief study of a few of the endangered species of African Animals and their habitats all under threat. This notebook briefly highlights some of the more common of the Animals of the African Plains or Savannah Plains as it is more commonly known. I use the words more common, but hasten to add that many of in fact most of the animals mentioned in this book are officially on the Endangered List, and particular care, participation and organisation is required in order to prevent these animals from becoming extinct. And not in the next century either we are talking about decades or less! The biggest threat (and most dangerous predator) to the survival of these animals is of course man, either directly or indirectly. Hunting, farming, disease, thoughtless culling and lack of knowledge and insight are all threats that can be overcome with active participation by everyone. There are more detailed units of each of the Endangered African Animals at which units include extensive activities and information on each animal. I hope that you will find this unit helpful and as always, we aim to make learning fun and productive. Please feel free to share this unit with friends, family and educators. Credits and acknowledgements are at the end of this book. Remember also that you CAN make a difference. Donnette E Davis St Aiden s Home School PO Box CASCADES 3202 Republic of South Africa (c) Donnette E Davis 2

2 Introduction to the Grasslands or Savannah Plains of Africa 1. Cheetah 2. Lion 3. Baboon 4. Elephant 5. Rhinoceros 6. Hippopotamus 7. Hyena 8. African Wild Dog 9. Giraffe 10. Wildebeest 11. Warthog 12. Eland 13. Buffalo 14. Aardvark Wordsearch Acknowledgements, Thanks & Terms of Use Donnette E Davis 3

3 INTRODUCTION TO GRASSLANDS OR SAVANNAH PLAINS OF AFRICA GRASSLANDS are places where fast-running animals get to challenge themselves by surpassing their own records! Since there are almost no trees in grasslands, animals can run at their top speeds without worrying about bumping into any obstacles. Both cheetahs and ostriches, known for their swiftness, make grasslands their home. Other animals living in grasslands include zebras, giraffes, white rhinoceros, warthogs, grasshoppers, and vultures. LIKE the name suggests, grasses dominate the landscape in grasslands. On average, grasslands receive about inches of rainfall a year. If the place received more rain, it would be able to grow trees and become a forest. If the place received less rain, it would be a desert. At least one-fifth of the Earth's land area is grasslands. It can be found in every continent except Antarctica. GRASSLANDS can be divided into two groups: temperate grasslands and savannahs. Temperate grasslands have noticeable seasonal changes, while savannahs are warm all year round. For animals living in temperate grasslands (such as the American bison), winter is the most unbearable season because plants are either dead or buried under snow. For animals living in savannahs (such as the African elephant), the dry season is the ultimate nightmare. To survive in either environment, many grassland animals must travel for long distances to find food and water Donnette E Davis 4

4 Cheetahs are built for speed. They have long, flexible backs, slim legs and small heads. They are the fastest land animals over short distances and can reach speeds of up to 95 kilometres per hour. Once found throughout Asia and Africa, cheetahs today are racing toward extinction. Loss of habitat and declining numbers of their prey combine to threaten the future of these cats. Cheetahs are found in open and partially open savannahs. NOTES: Donnette E Davis 5

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4. Which choice below lists the biomes in order from lowest precipitation amounts to highest precipitation amounts?

4. Which choice below lists the biomes in order from lowest precipitation amounts to highest precipitation amounts? Ecosystems and Biomes 1. All of the living organisms in a forest plus their environment is an example of A. a biome. B. a community. C. a population. D. an ecosystem. 2. Which of the following best describes