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tundra Hey kids! In today’s video, we will be learning about Tundra. Did you know that the tundra is the coldest and driest biome on Earth?

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Kids learn about the tundra grasslands biome. This cold and dry ecosystem is located far to the north.

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Famous Rainforests

There are rainforests in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America. The biggest rainforest is the Amazon rainforest. It's about the size of the contiguous United States, which doesn't include Alaska or Hawaii. More than half of it is in Brazil, but parts are in several other South American countries, including Ecuador and Bolivia. The next biggest rainforest is the Congo in Africa. Parts of the Congo can be found in several other countries too, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon.

Most rainforests are found along or near the Equator, where it tends to be hot. But some rainforests grow in temperate regions where it's cooler. Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park on the Pacific northwest coast of North America is an example of a temperate rainforest. Like tropical rainforests, temperate rainforests get lots of, well, rain.

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15 rainforest facts | National Geographic Kids

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Join us here at Nat Geo Kids to discover 15 cool rainforest facts. Learn fascinating facts about the rainforest's trees, plants, people and more...

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Discover what makes the world's great grasslands so awesome...

Savannahs are among the largest ecosystems in the world. Plus, they're home to some of the planet's coolest members of the animal kingdom - from lions and leopards, to meerkats, hyenas and stripy zebras. Join us as we go on a savannah safari and learn how YOU can help save this amazing savannah habitat!

Virtual expeditions!

- Explore the wildlife-packed savannah of Africa with these webcams:
Tembe Elephant Park webcam
Waterhole webcam

- Visit Africa's savannahs with Google Earth!

- Check out Google's amazing AR animals on your smartphone! Google one of the animals on the list below. If your phone is compatible, you should see a card that look like this:

Simply tap 'View in 3D' and enjoy!

Alligator
Angler fish
Bear
Brown bear
Cat
Cheetah
Deer
Dog
- French Bulldog
- Golden / Labrador Retriever
- Pomeranian
- Pug
- Rottweiler
Duck
Eagle
Emperor penguin
Goat
Hedgehog
Horse
Leopard
Lion
Macaw
Octopus
Panda
Penguin
Raccoon
Shark
Shetland pony
Snake
Tiger
Turtle
Wolf

Super habitat!

Savannahs are flat grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs. They're usually found near to the equator (the halfway point between the north and south parts of the Earth). This part of the world gets more direct sunlight than anywhere else, so the temperature is warm, all year round!

Savannahs only have two seasons instead of four - wet and dry. This is because seasons there are defined by how much rain falls. In fact, there's so much rain in the wet season, which lasts about six months, that it's known as ' monsoon season'. During these rainy months, a savannah can get 50 to 120cm of rain! This soggy weather helps the grasses that grow there to flourish - creating a habitat where different animals and birds can thrive.

DID YOU KNOW?
The world's largest land mammal - the African elephant - lives on the African savannahs!

Plants that grow in savannahs have to be able to survive long periods without rain. So, they have long roots that can reach far down into the earth for water, and trunks that can store moisture. Some grasses on savannahs have developed a nifty method of survival - they have a bitter flavour, designed to deter snack-seeking creatures! Other grasses grow from the bottom up, so grazing critters don't damage the plant's new growth!

DID YOU KNOW?
No two zebras have the same pattern of stripes - they all have unique markings!

Wonderful wildlife!

The dry, humid savannah landscape is so rich in grasses and tree life, it's the perfect home for large herbivores (plant eaters), such as buffaloes, zebra and giraffes. However, they're not alone - there are also lots of hungry predators roaming the savannah, including lions, hyenas, cheetahs, black mambas and leopards - yikes!

Wild dogs

African wild dogs like hanging out together in packs of 10 to 40. They hunt together too, tackling antelope, gazelle and larger prey - such as wildebeests - especially if the animal is ill or injured. These dogs are good runners and can sprint at speeds of over 70kmph! Sadly, African wild dogs are endangered, but conservation groups are working hard to save this furry species!

Wildebeest

During the African savannah's dry season, herds of wildebeest merge to follow the rains northward from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Often called the Great Migration, it's one of the most amazing wildlife spectacles on Earth - involving up to 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of other animals, including zebras and gazelles! In the Mara River, hungry crocodiles wait to snatch the wildebeest attempting to cross the river - eek!

Cheetahs

Cheetahs are usually found roaming the open, grassy savannah plains of Africa. They're the fastest land animal in the world and can chase after prey at speeds of up to 112kmph! Sadly, cheetahs are threatened by loss of habitat and prey, as well as conflict with humans. The good news is that conservationists are working hard to help these awesome animals.

DID YOU KNOW?
Savanna elephants are the world's largest land mammals!

Black rhinos

Black rhinos have special pointed lips that help them pluck leaves and fruit from the branches of bushes and trees. They can often be found lying in the shade to escape the hot savannah sun, or wallowing in a muddy water hole - the mud helps the rhinos cool off, and works as a natural sun lotion! Sadly, poaching saw the black rhino population drop by 98% between 1960 and 1995. Today, conservation efforts across Africa have helped bring this brilliant creature back from the brink of extinction - wahoo!

DID YOU KNOW?
When a predator kills an animal, vultures keep a look out and swoop down to gobble up any leftovers!

Planet protectors!

Climate change and poaching may threaten our savannahs, but there are tons of incredible people working hard to protect them and the awesome animals that live there...

Hi‐tech help

When a study revealed that Africa's savannah elephant population had decreased by a third, researchers at Cornell University in America came up with a new way to help. They used special equipment to record sounds the elephants made in the wild, then used AI (artificial intelligence) to help work out the best way to protect the beautiful beasts from poachers!

Park perfection

A conservation group, called African Parks, has taken a new approach to rescuing Africa's wild spaces. By providing all the resources to help parks, the group are in a better position to tackle poaching and other issues. They recently removed over 5,000 hunting snares from Liwonde National Park and have relocated 520 elephants!

Cool countries

Sadly, the number of giraffes in Africa has fallen by 40% in the last 30 years, due to poaching and habitat loss. But six African countries - the Central African Republic, Chad, Kenya, Niger, Mali, and Senegal - have pledged to do more to protect the long‐necked critters, and aim to stop giraffe meat and products being bought and sold. Great news!

How YOU can help!

Did you love learning about our planet's super savannahs? Do you feel inspired to help protect them? Here's how you can lend a hand without even leaving the house...

Club together!

Throw a savannah-themed joke-a-thon for your friends and family, in support of a wildlife charity that's working to protect this incredible habitat! Send them a funny joke every day for a week (or even a month!). It'll get them giggling for a good cause!

Save energy!

You can protect our amazing savannahs by helping to prevent climate change. Always turn off electrical items when you're not using them, switch to energy-saving lightbulbs, and try to recycle and reduce your food waste whenever you can. All these little things add up and will help make a difference!

Raise awareness!

Help raise awareness of the savannah animals that need our help by writing a story about them. Then, gather your family and read it to them - you can do this over the phone with friends and family who don't live with you. You could also consider adopting an endangered savannah animal, like the black rhino, through a wildlife charity, and inspire others to do the same!

MAKE A SAVANNAH MEMORY GAME!

Cut cardboard into 10 rectangles. Leave one side of the cards blank, and draw a cool creature on the other side - making two cards for each animal. Once you have five pairs of cards, mix them up and place them face down. Then flip over two cards at a time and try find the matching pairs!

Remember gang, if we all work together, these amazing habitats and the animals that live in them can get the protection they need.
Do you feel inspired to save our savannahs? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

Type whatever you want to search

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Savannah habitat! | Sponsored by Persil - National Geographic Kids

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Discover what makes the world's great grasslands so awesome... Savannahs are among the largest ecosystems in the world. Plus, they're home to some of the planet's coolest members of the animal kingdom - from lions and leopards, to meerkats, hyenas and stripy zebras.

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Explore the Rainforest! | Ecology for Kids

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Kids learn about the world's biomes and ecosystems. The network of life and biodiversity needed for all to survive.

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Science for Kids: Savanna Grasslands Biome

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Kids learn about the savanna grasslands biome. This tropical ecosystem is full of large herbivores like zebras, giraffes, and wildebeests.

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Kids learn about the desert biome. The dryest areas on Earth still have plant and animal life.

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Download FREE teacher-made resources covering 'Savannah'

All About Savannah - Information for Kids

At least 20% of the land on Earth is considered savannah. Some savannahs are tropical, and these are sometimes referred to as 'tropical grassland'. Areas of savannah are usually located in a transitional zone between desert and forest.

Savannahs are found in areas where there is not enough rainfall to support a forest, usually in areas that experience wet and dry seasons. Savannahs are considered a type of grassland and are usually open and flat. In the dry season, wildfires are common in savannah areas.

What is the savannah known for?

The savannah is known for its incredible wildlife and impressive plant species! The savannah is extremely rich in grasses and tree life, which makes it attractive to large herbivores. In order for so many different types of herbivorous animals to live in the savannah, many species have adapted to eat different plants. For instance, some animals are designed to eat low grass, while others are built for eating the leaves high up in the trees.

What is the biggest savannah in the world?

The largest savannahs in the world are in Africa. Nearly half of Africa is covered with savannah. The Serengeti is one of the most well-known savannahs in Africa. It is on the border between Tanzania and Kenya.

Another very large savannah is the Cerrado, located in eastern Brazil. It is a tropical savannah. The Cerrado makes up over 20% of the country's land area and is the second largest of Brazil's major habitat types after the Amazonian rainforest!

Teaching Wiki Contents

Savannah Features

There are many physical features that set savannahs apart from other biomes. These include:

Scattered Trees

The most prominent of the savannah's physical features is its scattered trees. These trees are what distinguish the savannah from other grasslands. The scattered trees in the savannah grow above a layer of continuous tall grass between the forest canopy and the ground.

Wet and Dry Seasons

Another key feature of the savannah is its two distinct seasons: a wet season and a dry season.

Savannahs are typically found in regions around 8° to 20° from the Equator, which means that the conditions are always very hot, regardless of the season.

The dates of the savannah's wet season vary depending on which hemisphere it is in. In the Southern Hemisphere, the wet season typically occurs from October to March, whilst in the Northern Hemisphere, it occurs from April to September. During this wet season, there is an average annual rainfall of 80 to 150 cm, although this tends to be lower in more central continental locations.

On the other hand, the savannah's dry season is generally longer than the wet season; however, its length can vary massively from just two months to eleven months. The average monthly temperature during the dry season is about 10 to 20 °C, compared to about 20 to 30 °C in the wet season.

Large Herds of Animals

With the large herds of herbivores comes a range of predators. Animals such as lions, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, and wild dogs are some of the most common predators found in savannahs.

Over time, the herbivorous animals in the savannah have developed a range of clever techniques to avoid predators. For instance, animals like gazelles and ostriches use their speed to try and outrun their predators. Running is not a viable option for the giraffe, so they use their height to spot predators from far off. Elephants use their massive strength and size to fight off predators.

Similarly, predators in the savannah have also developed their own techniques to catch their prey. For example, the cheetah, which is the fastest land animal in the world, uses its immense speed to catch its prey, getting up to 70 mph in short bursts. Moreover, predators like lions and hyenas hunt in groups and focus on separating the weakest animals from the rest of the herd.

Fires

Another feature of the savannah is the many fires that occur there. Whilst fires are typically viewed in a negative light, they actually play a key role in maintaining the savannah's vegetation. During the dry season, fires are needed to clear out the old, dead grass in order to make way for new growth to occur.

Most of the plants in the savannah will actually survive the fires, as they have long, deep roots that allow them to grow back quickly. The trees are also able to survive due to their thick bark.

The animals that live in the savannah are also able to escape the fires unharmed. Some animals run to escape the fire, whilst others burrow deep into the ground to find safety. Unfortunately, millions of insects tend to die in the fires, but the bright side of this is that it provides ample food for other birds and animals.

Types of Savannah

There are several types of savannah that vary depending on the location and climate. These are:

, which are made up of tropical grasslands and shrublands. The most notable example of this biome is the savannahs of Africa. These areas are known for their varied and exotic animals and provide a habitat for a diverse range of species. Other large tropical savannahs can be found in South America and Australia.Tropical and subtropical savannahs

, which have wetter summers and drier winters than other savannah types. An example of this type of savannah is the Great Plains of the United States. This type of savannah has many names depending on where they are located in the world. In the US, they are called prairies, whilst they are called steppes in Asia.Temperate savannahs

, which have mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. As the name suggests, this biome can be found across the Mediterranean, including Spain, Italy and Greece, but also in areas of California, South Africa and Australia.Mediterranean savannahs

, which, as the name suggests, regularly experience flooding, either seasonally or year-round. These regions are smaller than other savannahs but are found worldwide. They're home to unique ecosystems that have adapted to the wet environment.Flooded savannahs

Montane savannahs, which are savannahs located at high altitudes, usually on the sides of mountains. The largest and most prominent montane savannahs are found in Asia, Africa, and South America. Animals that live in these areas have adapted to wet and cool conditions as well as harsh sunlight.

Savannah Animals and Wildlife

Because savannahs are widespread across the world and differ in their climate and seasons, there are a huge number of animals that call the savannah their home. The most famous and recognisable type of savannah, the African savannah, also happens to be home to some of the most famous and recognisable types of savannah animals, such as , , , zebras, and buffalo.

Worldwide, there are many more animals that are native to the savannah. Kangaroos, ostriches, crocodiles , snakes, meerkats, leopards, and cheetahs can all be found in various types of savannah across the world, and each of these animals has specific adaptations that make them well-suited for living in the type of savannah that they occupy.

Large animals are common in pretty much all savannahs except the Australian savannahs. Instead, the Australian savannahs are inhabited by many species of the Macropodidae family, which includes the likes of kangaroos and wallabies. This is because, several thousand years ago, after human beings first arrived, a wide variety of very large mammals and reptiles became extinct. Today, in their place, you will find a range of both domesticated and wild animals that have been introduced by humans. These animals include cattle, horses, camels, donkeys, and the Asian water buffalo.

10 Fun Facts about the Savannah Biome

Unfortunately, there are lots of things threatening the African savannahs, such as farming and hunting. Fortunately, there are special groups working hard to track endangered animals to protect them from hunters.

Teaching Video about Savannah

Teaching Resources on Savannah

Looking for fun ways to teach kids about the savannah biome? Check out some of our lovely teaching resources that cover the topics mentioned in this wiki to spruce up your lessons and engage young learners.

Take the stress out of lesson planning and try out the following resources:

This brilliant PowerPoint introduces children to the African savannah! The bright and colourful slides are packed with learner-friendly information that explains what and where the African savannah is in the world.

Our friendly bug character tells children some lovely facts about each of his animal friends. There is also information and photos to help children learn about giraffes, cranes, elephants, lions, zebras, baboons, hippos, warthogs, antelopes, wildebeest, gazelles and rhinos!

Introduce your KS1 children to the African savannahs with this engaging PowerPoint. Each slide features lots of interesting facts covering what a savannah is and where they can be found - perfect for a geography focus! Afterwards, your class will learn all about the fascinating animals that call the African savannah their home.

When teaching your KS2 class about the African savannah, why not use this handy word mat alongside your lessons? It can be used as an independent writing prompt to support pupils in developing their vocabulary by using ambitious adjectives to describe savannah and grassland settings.

Looking for more? Join us on social media!

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Savannah Biome - Physical Features | Wildlife | Climate

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A savannah is an ecosystem made of a combination of woodland and grassland. Read on to learn all about savannah physical features, wildlife, climate and more.

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Savanna Grassland Biome Facts Learn about the biome called the Savanna. This biome ... Animals of the Savanna - Learning Ecosystems for Kids.

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Desert biomes make up one-third of all of the land on earth. What are the characteristics of a desert biome? A desert has very little…

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TROPICAL RAINFOREST FACTS

Kayapo Tribe Boy

Introduction
An estimated 400-500 indigenous Amazonian Indian tribes (Amerindians) exist today in the Amazon Rainforest. There are about fifty of these tribes who do not have any contact with the outside world. These groups have their own society where kids do not go to a formal school but instead, when they are old enough, are taught what they need to know from their elders. Another interesting fact is that some of the greatest threats to these tribes come from people from the outside world. The reason why is explained in the Amazon Rainforest tribe information below; along with information on how these people survive, what their beliefs are, and where they are located.

Click here for a great selection ofAmazon.com Amazon Rainforest books.

Amazon Rainforest Tribe General Facts

With 20,000 total members, the Yanomani tribe is the largest tribe in the Amazon Rainforest. They live in Northern Brazil and near the border of Southern Venezuela. In contrast, the Kanoe and Akuntsu tribes have no more than 30 members.

The tribes live off the land and grow different types of fruits and vegetables such as bananas, passion fruit, papayas, corn, manioc and beans and the popular "super fruit", the acai berry.

Both legal and illegal activities have threatened the Amazon Rainforest tribes. Some of the reasons for declining populations are due to deforestation in the Amazon, war, disease, oil development and drug trafficking. In response, Brazil has set up a type of reservation to protect the Amazonian tribes.

The many tribes of the Amazon are very diverse in culture, language and heritage. There are approximately 180 different languages spoken by these indigenous people.

Communal houses are common and the structures are made out of bamboo covered in banana or palm leaves and straw.

The tribes that have made contact with the outside world wear minimal clothing. What they do wear is made from natural resources found in the rainforest. However, both the men and women in the tribes that have no contact with outsiders live completely naked.

Spiritual ceremonies and rituals are commonplace. In a ritual to become a man in an Amazon tribe called Satere Mawe; young boys must wear gloves filled with bullet ants.

Many Amazonian tribes believe in animism, a belief that animal spirits inhabit all animate and inanimate things.

Some of the indigenous tribes of the Amazon are still hunters and gatherers who have extensive knowledge of almost every aspect of the rainforest in which they live. Many of the tribes also practice a slash and burn type of agriculture. When the resources are depleted, they move on to new land.

Because many of these tribes do not have proper medical care, the life span of the Amazonian tribe people is considerably shorter than those living in the countries surrounding them. Many die of malaria, malnutrition and parasites.

Tribal Role Facts

Men and women have distinct roles within their village. Women generally have the responsibility of cooking, household chores, crop growing and taking care of the children.

Men do the hunting, which accounts for a relatively small amount of their total food intake. They hunt game such as deer, monkey and tapir with blow guns and poison tipped darts.

Men, women and children all take part in fishing.

MENU
Amazon Rainforest Facts Amazon Rainforest Animal Facts Amazon Rainforest Birds Facts Amazon Rainforest Deforestation Facts Amazon Rainforest Plant Facts Amazon Rainforest Tribe Facts

Amazon Rainforest Facts

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TROPICAL RAINFOREST FACTS An estimated 400-500 indigenous Amazonian Indian tribes (Amerindians) exist today in the Amazon Rainforest. There are about fifty of these tribes who do not have any contact with the outside world. These groups have their own society where kids do not go to a formal school but instead, when they are old enough, are taught what they need to know from their elders.

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Who are the Plains Indigenous Peoples?

Various Indigenous nations call the Plains their traditional territory, such as the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai, Dakota, Stoney Nakoda, Cree, Assiniboine and Tsuut'ina. Before epidemics in the early 1800s drastically reduced the population, Plains Indigenous people in what is now Canada numbered an estimated 33,000.

After sustained contact with Europeans, many Indigenous women, largely Plains Cree, intermarried with these newcomers, giving birth to the Métis - a culturally distinct Indigenous people. Though intermarriage was not uncommon in other areas of Canada and significant Métis communities exist elsewhere, many cite the Plains as the physical, cultural and political home of the Métis people.

Geography

Traditional Life
Early Settlement
Small bands of hunters roamed the Plains beginning at least 11,000 years ago. ( See also Prehistory.) For several thousand years, bison hunting was conducted primarily with the use of spears, but around 200 CE a group known as the Avonlea people (because they lived during the Avonlea period) specialized in bowhunting. Some sources have the Avonlea people arriving in the southern Saskatchewan and Alberta in 100 CE. By 1000 CE, they engaged in some agriculture, but continued to rely primarily on nomadic bison hunting.
Food
Traditionally, Plains people relied on seasonal fruits, vegetables and game for subsistence. Nuts, roots, berries were especially prevalent staples of the Plains diet. Fish was a regular supplement to bison meat for some Plains peoples.

While women gathered and cultivated, hunting - a predominantly male activity - provided the bulk of food. Plains hunters used animal-skin disguises to lure bison into traps or get close enough to a herd to kill bison on the periphery with bows and arrows. Hunters also directed bison to stampede over steep cliffs and fall to their death. While the horse greatly facilitated bison hunting, muzzleloading guns proved inferior to bow and arrows; Plains hunters switched away from bows and arrows only after more convenient breech-loading rifles were introduced by the 1860s.

Women were primarily responsible for processing the spoils of the hunt. Some parts of the bison that were eaten immediately could be raw or cooked, but most was sliced and sun-dried for the winter or ground and mixed with fat and berries to make pemmican.
Dwellings and Transportation
When moving to a new camp, family property was transported by pack dogs. After 1776, some Indigenous peoples on the Plains used the travois, a triangular frame of poles, dragged by dogs. Dogs were domesticated independently by Indigenous peoples in North America, though they were quickly replaced by European breeds after contact. In some cases, the travois provided the framework of the dwelling called a tipi, a cone of poles covered with bison skins. After the introduction of the horse, the increased carrying capacity made the construction and transport of larger travois and tipis possible. Snowshoes were used during the winter by some peoples on the northern Plains.
Clothing
Women made clothing for their families, often using the skins of antelope, deer and bison: breechcloth, leggings and shirts for men, long dresses and leggings for women. They also made robes and moccasins, sometimes out of bison hides. Bison was versatile; in addition to providing meat for food, the animal's horns, bones, sinew and hide were used to fashion tent covers, shields, tools and utensils.

Culture

As Indigenous cultures varied across the Plains, artistic expression ranged from tattoos, to clothing painted or embroidered with dyed porcupine quills, to painted tipi covers, shields and rawhide container. Plains art also included carvings on wooden bowls, horn spoons and stone pipes. These items often featured symbols associated with the Indigenous nation or the identity of the particular band member who made the designs. ( See also History of Indigenous Art in Canada.)

Plains peoples are credited with having held the first powwows, events that allow various Indigenous nations to come together in celebration of their cultures. Wearing regalia adorned with sacred eagle feathers, beads and colourful items, Plains Indigenous peoples perform powwow songs and dances. Drums used in these ceremonies represent the Earth or the circle of life, and as such, are considered important to the culture and spirituality of many Plains Indigenous peoples. Some of the songs played at powwows are healing songs, others tell a particular story; all of them, however, are considered sacred. ( See also Powwow Singers and History of Powwows.)
Culture Change
Contact between Plains peoples and European fur traders and settlers rapidly accelerated societal change, which had traditionally moved much more gradually. The introduction of metalwares made pottery, stone chisels and arrowheads obsolete in the mid-18th century; glass beads gradually replaced quillwork and by the mid-19th century cloth became as common as animal skins for clothing.

The and other federal legislation and policies that encouraged assimilation, such as residential schools, threated Indigenous cultures on the Plains and elsewhere in Canada. The Indian Act forbade powwows and many other cultural events. Forced onto reserves, the traditional hunting practices of the Plains Indigenous peoples became a thing of the past. Despite this cultural upheaval, Indigenous peoples have persevered. Powwow traditions and Indigenous languages, among other aspects of their cultures, have survived into the present day. Efforts to protect and preserve Indigenous culture aim to make sure art, language and more do not disappear.

Language

The languages spoken by the Indigenous people of the Plains in Canada belong to three linguistic families. Algonquian languages are spoken by the Blackfoot Confederacy ( see also Siksikáí'powahsin: Blackfoot Language), Plains Cree (Nêhiyawak) ( see also Cree Language), Gros Ventre (Atsina) and Plains Ojibwe ( see also Anishinaabemowin: Ojibwe Language.) Siouan languages are those of the Assiniboine (Nakota), Stoney Nakoda and Dakota. The Tsuut'ina language (known as Sarcee) is part of the Athapaskan (or Dene) language family. ( See also Indigenous Languages in Canada.)

Languages from separate linguistic families are completely different, and within each family, languages may be similar but are not the same. This linguistic diversity and the high mobility of the Plains population encouraged the development of communication by means of hand gestures or sign language.

Indigenous people in this area still speak a number of Plains languages. In the 2016 census, significant populations reported fluency in Cree, Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe), Siksikáí'powahsin (Blackfoot) and Stoney Nakoda. The Métis language, Michif, evolved from a mixture of French and Plains Cree, while a variant called Bungee (largely considered extinct) is comprised of a mixture of English, Scottish Gaelic, Ojibwe and Cree. In 2016, 725 people reported Michif as their mother tongue. With less than 1,000 speakers, Michif is considered an endangered language. Language revitalization efforts are underway in some Métis communities.

Social Organization

The adaptability of the Plains people to their natural environment, and in particular to the movements of the bison herds, is reflected in their social organization. Most nations consisted of loosely organized and independent bands. Chiefs held the respect and support of the band as long as they were successful in the quest for food and in defence against enemy attacks. Bands moved around independently of each other, while in lean periods, smaller groups formed and split off to increase the likelihood of finding sufficient food.

When the bison were concentrated in large herds more conducive to group hunting, the bands would come together for a few weeks in one large tribal encampment. There the Plains people joined together in the large celebrations that were the principal means of tribal cohesion. After the performance of the Sun Dance and possibly a bison drive, the bands separated again; in the fall they moved to well-protected campsites in river valleys, foothills and parklands, where they spent the winter.

Religion and Spirituality

Religious ideas and practices permeated all aspects of daily life. People prayed for, or hoped for, help or power (or a guardian spirit) from spirit beings. An individual seeking such power went to a lonely spot where he or she would fast and pray until a spiritual guardian appeared in a dream, or vision quest. Mystical experiences sometimes gave rise to cults that either disappeared when the initiator died, or became increasingly popular. ( See also Religion and Spirituality of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.)

In the late 19th century, for instance, a practice called the Ghost Dance rose among the Plains people in both Canada and the United States. In its earliest forms, the ritual prophesied the return of the dead and the restoration of animals then becoming scarce on the Plains. Some Dakota (Sioux) practitioners also believed the garbs worn during the Ghost Dance would protect them from White settlers' bullets. Believing the Ghost Dance had warlike connotations (because it was wrongly blamed for the rise of the armed outbreak in late 1890 that ended in the massacre at Wounded Knee, South Dakota), the dance was suppressed violently by the United States authorities, who forbade its practice on reservations in South Dakota. Though the Ghost Dance was not performed much in Canada, police took steps to discourage its practice.

European Colonization
First Contacts
Spanish conquistadors moving north from Mexico introduced horses to the southern Plains in the 17th century. The animals spread north through intertribal trade and raiding, reaching the Canadian Plains by the 1730s. The use of horses altered hunting techniques and enabled the people to transport larger and more comfortably furnished dwellings. The use of horses also led to the rise of horse raiding as the most common form of intertribal warfare. Typically, small war parties would raid enemy territory, run off the horses and sometimes kill a few people.

The arrival of Europeans around this time brought the Plains peoples into contact with settlements to the east, and from 1730 to 1870, Plains peoples played an important role in the fur trade, which in turn profoundly altered their way of life. Adjusting hunting patterns to meet the demands of the traders, Plains people gradually moved away from a subsistence lifestyle towards one of trade and interdependence.

For more than a century, the fur trade was the sole method of contact between Europeans and the Plains people in Canada. These early encounters led to the spread of European diseases among the Plains people - in particular smallpox, which broke out several times on the Plains beginning in the 1730s and sometimes wiped out entire bands. ( See also Health of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.) Survivors were left with shaken world views and undermined or entirely compromised support systems. As external support was largely provided by European missionaries - often seen as both cause and cure for disease - sick and malnourished Plains peoples were not just vulnerable to illness and death, but to cultural and spiritual transformation as well.
Treaties and White Settlement
The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald, held White settlement and development of the Plains as a top priority, and regularly used aid and rations as bargaining chips with sick and starving Indigenous peoples. By 1891, nearly 250,000 White settlers had arrived on the Canadian prairies, and their numbers were rising exponentially. ( See also History of Settlement in the Canadian Prairies.)

The Red River and North-West Resistances of 1869-70 and 1885, respectively, were uprisings against the Canadian government aimed at protecting Indigenous ways of life, but both were ultimately defeated, and in November 1885, Métis leader Louis Riel was hanged for treason.
Reserves and Residential Schools
By this time, most Indigenous people had been forcibly relocated to reserves, where federal Indian agents tried to introduce them to new means of subsistence, primarily agriculture. By 1885, over 17,500 Plains Indigenous people had settled on reserves. Though some bands managed to subsist successfully, most faced a severe food crisis. Those who did not enter the reserves pursued the remaining herds of bison in Montana. Years of scarcity and starvation followed, in which the people depended upon frequently inadequate government rations, which were only allotted to bands that had signed treaties with the Crown. ( See also Pass System in Canada.)

Throughout this difficult period of social and economic transformation, missions of various Christian denominations played a major role in providing a new education system, frequently acting as mediators between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. With the , first passed in 1876, the government promoted assimilation, and used joint government and Christian missionary programs like residential schools to further those aims. By 1899, approximately 70 per cent of Indigenous people in Canada were associated with some church denomination.

Political Organization

Indigenous leaders made efforts to establish provincial organizations through which they could articulate their social and economic needs. Starting in the 1920s, organizations like the League of Indians in Western Canada - formed in 1929 at Green Lake, Saskatchewan - struggled against government harassment and apathy among their own people, slowly beginning to lift the oppressive paternalism of government policy. ( See also Indian.)

After the Second World War, the activities of such Indigenous-led organizations began to increase, forcing the federal government to take notice. ( See also Indigenous Political Organization and Activism in Canada.) On reserves, various economic programs have been initiated and the government has increasingly transferred administrative responsibilities to elected chiefs and tribal councils. The was partially amended in 1951, and later in 1985, to remove some outdated and discriminatory practices, and Indigenous people were granted the right to vote in federal elections in 1960. ( See also Indigenous Suffrage in Canada.)

Contemporary Life

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The Plains cultural area is a vast territory that extends from southern Manitoba and the Mississippi River westward to the Rocky Mountains, and from the North S...

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However, today they need to share the forests with a growing number of settlers who seek to tap into the Amazon's considerable natural resources.

Life inside the rainforest

Some estimates put the first human settlements in the Amazon at 32,000 to 39,000 years ago. Since that time, Amazon people have developed lifestyles that are well integrated with the benefits and constraints of rainforests.

Typically, local game includes wildlife found close to rivers, such as fish, turtles, capybara and crocodiles. Until recently, blowguns, arrows tipped with poison and spears were commonplace to hunt down game, but these primitive weapons have increasingly been replaced by guns, when they can be afforded.

Hunter-gatherer groups were once generally nomadic, living in small temporary settlements for 4-5 years until all natural resources were exhausted - then they moved on.

But because of land colonization by non-indigenous people, many local groups were forced into sedentary lifestyles and became peasants.

Such changes not only destroy traditional lifestyles but also cause local people to lose control over their territory. Those who stand to benefit from this are loggers, gold miners and other colonists.

Some hunter-gatherer tribes were once highly territorial. For example, Brazilian Mundurucu head-hunters indiscriminately hunted animals and humans. Raids were carried out on neighbouring groups to acquire women and protect territory.

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However, today they need to share the forests with a growing number of settlers who seek to tap into the Amazon's considerable natural resources. Some estimates put the first human settlements in the Amazon at 32,000 to 39,000 years ago. Since that time, Amazon people have developed lifestyles that are well integrated with the benefits and constraints of rainforests.

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Here you can do more than read out biomes. You can explore them in 360 degree tours. While not the same as being there in person, these tours let you go to places you would not likely be able to see.

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What is a Biome?

A biome is a place on earth that has the same climate, plant life and animal life over a vast area of land. Every place on earth is part of one biome or another. There are five major biomes in the world: aquatic, desert, forest, grasslands and tundra. These biomes are often broken down into numerous categories and sub-categories as well. Kidzworld's got the 411 on the aquatic biome.

What Makes The Aquatic Biome Unique?

The aquatic biome is definitely the largest biome out there. Water covers nearly 75 percent of the earth's surface, in the form of oceans, lakes, rivers, etc. Just like all other biomes, the aquatic biome can be divided into two categories: freshwater regions and saltwater regions. There are also different types of freshwater and saltwater habitats.

Saltwater Habitats:

Oceans

Oceans are the largest ecosystems on earth.

Who Calls The Ocean Home?

Algae, sea snails, octopuses, fish, crustaceans (crabs, lobsters, etc.,) sea anemones, sharks, whales, seaweed and much, much more. Tons of bacteria and fungus also call the ocean "Home, Sweet Home."

Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are found as barriers along continents (for example, the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia.)

Who Calls Coral Reefs Home?

Coral, (which does look rock but is actually an animal!) Fish, sea urchins, octopi and sea stars (a.k.a. star fish) also call coral reefs home.

Estuaries

An estuary is where a stream or river merges with the ocean. The mixing of fresh and salt water creates a unique salt concentration that is found nowhere else in the world.

Who Calls Estuaries Home?

A variety of worms, oysters, crabs and different kinds of waterfowl (like herons, ducks and geese).

Freshwater Habitats:

Ponds and Lakes

Ponds and lakes support similar organisms but ponds don't stick around for very long. Ponds are often seasonal, meaning they are created in the rainy seasons and often dry up after a few months. Lakes, on the other hand, will often survive for hundreds of years.

Who Calls Ponds and Lakes Home?

Both ponds and lakes are home to various aquatic plants, grazing snails, clams, insects, crustaceans, fish, amphibians (frogs, salamanders, newts, etc.,) turtles, snakes and lots of birds.

Streams and Rivers

A stream or river can be started in a lot of different ways. Some are the product of a natural spring bubbling out of the earth. Others find their way out of a mountain lake. Then there are the streams and rivers started by melting snow.

Who Calls it Home?

Many freshwater fish can be found in streams and rivers, such as trout and salmon. Algae, fungi and other plant life can also be found here.

Wetlands

A wetland is a body of standing water that supports aquatic plants. Marshes, swamps and bogs are all forms of wetlands.

Who Calls Wetlands Home?

Frogs, lizards, snakes and birds like ducks, pelicans, herons, woodpeckers, etc.

Related Stories:

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A biome is a place on earth that has the same climate, plant life and animal life over a vast area of land. Every place on earth is part of one biome or another. There are five major biomes in the world: aquatic, desert, forest, grasslands and tundra.

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Exploring the Arctic for Kids: Arctic Animals and Climates for Children - FreeSchool

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Explore the Rainforest! | Ecology for Kids

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Biomes are regions of the world with similar climate (weather, temperature) animals and plants. There are
Aquatic Biomes | Terrestrial Biomes | What are biomes? GAMES! terrestrial biomes (land) and
aquatic biomes , both freshwater and marine.

Would you like to know what the weather is like in different biomes around the world? How about the types of plants and animals that live in these biomes? Here you will find all sorts of information about the world's biomes.
Games
How many biomes are there? There is really no completely right answer to this question. Some people say there are only 5 major types of biomes: aquatic, desert, forest, grassland, and tundra. Others split biomes further. Forests are separated into rainforest, temperate forest, chaparral, and taiga; grasslands are divided into savanna and temperate grasslands; and the aquatic biome is split into freshwater and marine.
Kids Konnect: Biomes Enchanted Learning: Biomes ThinkQuest: Biomes Major Biomes of the World NASA - Mission: Biomes World Biomes
Links to more information:
Back to Biomes Index

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Biomes are regions of the world with similar climate (weather, temperature) animals and plants. There are Aquatic Biomes | Terrestrial Biomes | What are biomes? GAMES! terrestrial biomes (land) and aquatic biomes , both freshwater and marine. Would you like to know what the weather is like in different biomes around the world?

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A biome is a large region of Earth that has a certain climate and certain types of living things. Major biomes include tundra, forests, grasslands, and deserts. The plants...

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Watch the movie below to get a good feel for the different Biomes!

Step 1: Research your with your group. You may click on the link below to open up a page of

helpful links.

Pictures you can use copyright free http://www.recipes4success.com/index.php?query=true&type=references&ref_id=110&query_term=pictures&query_area=special
Hot Links for Biomes.doc
Step 2: Take Notes

You can go to http://www.bubbl.us/ and make an Idea Map. Put your notes under each heading

Set up the following Headings:

Step 3: Keep track of your notes, including citations. You need to turn them in with your final project.

Step 4: You can download pictures by:

a. Rolling over the picture

b. Right click and select Save Picture As

c. Remember where you saved the picture .

Step 5: Interesting Additions

Where on earth is your Biome located?

b. Create or draw a food web that exists in your biome.

Pick a time to meet with your group to discuss your project!

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Review the assignment sheet handed out in class about possible projects to share . You have your notes, your pictures...you are ready! In addition to a report, poster, brochures, you may want to use one of the media tools listed below. If you decide do a media rich project at home be sure to save it and bring it to class on a flash drive or burn it on a CD.

The following sites are media rich tools to help prsent a project:

Create from uploaded images, clip art library, records 30 second audio/video captions for each image. Overlay comic bubbles with text. Code to embed in blogs, web site. Options to have prints made as books, posters, etc

"With One True Media, effortlessly combine photos and video clips with words and music to personalize your story. Quickly share with our Online Slideshow or get as creative as you want with our Video Montage." Upload images and audio for story track. Embed in blogs or directly post to YouTube/Google video, mySpace, Google Groups.

Weave uploaded or flickr imported images into a media presentation. Record audio/add text annotations. Others can add voice and comments as well.

4. ComicsSketch http://www.mainada.net/comics/A tool for people who can actually draw! Create all content via pen and color tools

an application to put together photos and words with styled templates into a visual collage, also creates slideshows, permissions for views, import form flickr, print services (posters etc)

6. Puzzlemaker http://www.puzzle-maker.com/ 1-2-3 Word Search Maker. Quickly create four kinds of word search puzzles and Crossword Weaver lets you easily create two styles of high quality crossword puzzles using your words, with tons of extras!

When you are finished we will add your work here. We will take pictures of your posters,upload any Word Files, and link to any of the media shows you create!

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Watch the movie below to get a good feel for the different Biomes! Step 1: Research your with your group. You may click on the link below to open up a page of helpful links. Pictures you can use copyright free http://www.recipes4success.com/index.php?query=true&type=references&ref_id=110&query_term=pictures&query_area=special Hot Links for Biomes.doc Step 2: Take Notes You can go to http://www.bubbl.us/ and make an Idea Map.

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Biomes are regions of the world with similar climate (weather, temperature) animals and plants. There are
Aquatic Biomes | Terrestrial Biomes | What are biomes? GAMES! terrestrial biomes (land) and
aquatic biomes , both freshwater and marine.

Would you like to know what the weather is like in different biomes around the world? How about the types of plants and animals that live in these biomes? Here you will find all sorts of information about the world's biomes.
Games
How many biomes are there? There is really no completely right answer to this question. Some people say there are only 5 major types of biomes: aquatic, desert, forest, grassland, and tundra. Others split biomes further. Forests are separated into rainforest, temperate forest, chaparral, and taiga; grasslands are divided into savanna and temperate grasslands; and the aquatic biome is split into freshwater and marine.
Kids Konnect: Biomes Enchanted Learning: Biomes ThinkQuest: Biomes Major Biomes of the World NASA - Mission: Biomes World Biomes
Links to more information:
Back to Biomes Index

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Biomes are regions of the world with similar climate (weather, temperature) animals and plants. There are Aquatic Biomes | Terrestrial Biomes | What are biomes? GAMES! terrestrial biomes (land) and aquatic biomes , both freshwater and marine. Would you like to know what the weather is like in different biomes around the world?

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DK Find Out! | Fun Facts for Kids on Animals, Earth, History and more!

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Visit DK Find Out! to learn about dinosaurs, space, animals, nature & more. Fun learning activities for kids with videos, quizzes & galleries at DKFindOut.com