68° to 86° F

Mild climate with high fluctuation in heat and precipitation

Two distinct seasons - dry (4-6 months) and wet (6-8 months)

An average of 20' to 40' annually

Wet and Dry seasons

Very little water during the dry season, but average amounts durring the wet season

Inland Biome

Extensive cover of grasses with scattered trees

Altitude: Sea Level - 2,000m

Winds blowing from east to west

Latitude: 10°-20°

Very dry and old

Low fertility

Low water absorption

Baobab

• During the rainy season they absorb and store water in their trunk, then produces a nutrient-dense fruit in the dry season

• Bark is fire resistant which is extremely helpful in the dry season where grass fires can be common

Gum Arabic

• Deep roots to stay imbedded in loose, poor-quality soil and reach underground water stores in the dry seasons

• It flowers multiple times a season to ensure a larger chance of distribution

• Sap/Reson possesses a resinous aroma with faint sweet and woody undertones that attract pollinators

  • Also attracts pollinators such as butterflies, wasps, wind and flies

Elephant Grass

• Tough leaves to withstand grazing and fires

• Rapid regrowth due to the large number of species that consume it

Acacia tortilis (Umbrella Thorn Acacia)

• Umbrella-shaped tops enable the tree to capture large amounts of sunlight with the smallest possible leaves

• Thorns are used to keep savanna animals away from eating the leaves, flowers, and seedpods

  • The only animal immune to the thorns is the giraffe and the white-headed vulture

Giraffe

• Prehensile, dark colored, 18' tounge that allows it to accurately and easily eat leaves off trees and protect it from the harsh sun

  • They also have glue-like saliva that protects them from thorns and other rough foliage

• A giraffe can consume up to 10 gallons of water at one time, but gets most of their water from morning dew

  • Being able to go without water is useful during the dry seasons on the savanna (abiotic)

  • Drinking large amounts of water quickly also helps limit the time giraffes are vulnerable to attack from their main predators (biotic)

• The distinctive patches on its body not only serve as camouflage but also function as a cooling system

  • Each patch contains a network of blood vessels that allow the giraffe to regulate its body temperature by releasing excess heat.

Black Mamba

• They like low, open spaces and enjoy sleeping in hollow trees, rock crevices, burrows, or empty termite mounds to escape the heat of the savanna

• Its venom is primarily composed of neurotoxins that begin to show symptoms by 10 minutes after infliction

  • Can kill an adult man in 30 minutes - 3 hours

Caracal

• The tufts on their ears focus sound, improving its ability to pinpoint the position of its prey - their ears are highly flexible, with 29 muscles dedicated to their movement

• Cathemeral (active in irregular intervals in both day and night) behaviors allow them more options and opportunities for hunting

Meerkat

• Mothers can feed their young while standing up to keep watch for predators

• Communal animals to protect themselves from predators and ensure the longevity of the pack

Africa

Australia

India

Southeast Asia

South America