TIMON & PUMBAA Travel Co.

Location

Features• Large expanse of grassland with punctuated trees and shrubs• Trees are Characteristically flat topped and are “xerophytic” which

means drought resistant. They have small thick leaves, rough bark, or waxy leaf surfaces.

• Trees have deep roots so that they can utilize water present in the soil during the dry season.

• Africa’s savanna biome regions have been like zoological gardens as home to various herbivores such as giraffe, zebra, antelope, and elephant.

• There are also large carnivores such as lions and also scavengers such as the hyena.

• The soil in Tropical Savanna is often termed as infertile because of it’s Lateric soils which have a great lack access to nutrients. There is also

Climate

• Warm temperatures year round• Two different seasons:– A very long dry season (winter) – Wet season (summer)– Tropical Savanna climates have a monthly mean

temperature about 18 degrees Celsius in every month of the year.

– Driest month has less that 60mm of precipitation and less than 100mm of total annual precipitation.

Climate Graph of Tropical Savanna

Seasonal Information

• The best time to visit is during the dry season• April/May through September/October• Many areas are inaccessible during the wet

season

Special Facts

• Not enough rain falls to support a forest• Large expanse of grasslands are punctuated

w/ trees and shrubs• Annual rainfall is between 40-60 in.• Harbors the largest mammal, herbivore

diversity on the planet

Plant Adaptions to the Tropical Savanna

Grasses• To survive dry season & fires, they grow

quickly where there is an adequate amount of water

• When H20 is scarce, grass turns brown to limit H20 loss; store moisture & nutrients in roots

• Food & H20 stored below ground, so they can survive effects from fires

Acacia Tree

• Adaptations:–Deep taproot so it

can access water during the dry season–Umbrella shaped

tops allows the leaves to catch as much sunlight as possible

Baobab Tree

• Adaptations:–During wet

months, tree stores water in it’s thick trunk– Trunk is fire

resistant

Animal Adaptations to the Tropical Savanna

Elephants• Physical adaptation to access water that is

unavailable to other animals• Physical strength & anatomy allow them to

tear open tree trunks to suck the water stored in the tree trunks

Native Animals

• Lions• Grants Zebra• African Wild Dog

Suggested Activities (for African Savanna)

• Go on a wildlife safari • View the tribal life & meet natural healers and

tribe members• Go birding and on a nature walk• Rafting

Current Envi. Issue T & P Co. is fighting to help solve:

• Weeds can out compete native plants for essential resources (space, light, water, nutrients)

• They change the landscape forever.• Important Factors that encourage weeds:– Disturbance of natural environment– Increased nutrient levels– Absence of Predators

Bibliography

• "Tropical Savanna." Tropical Savanna. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.

• "The Main Characteristic Feature of the Tropical Savanna Biome Are:." The Main Characteristic Feature of the Tropical Savanna Biome Are:. N.p., n.d. Web. 16

Dec. 2013.• "Biomes." Science for Kids: Savanna Grasslands Biome. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.• "Earth Floor: Biomes." Earth Floor: Biomes. N.p., n.d. Web. 16

Dec. 2013.