Science Natural Science Savanna Biome: Climate, Locations, and Wildlife By Regina Bailey Regina Bailey Writer Emory University Chattahoochee Technical College Regina Bailey is a science writer, educator, and board-certified registered nurse. Her work has been featured in "Kaplan AP Biology" and "The Internet for Cellular and Molecular Biologists." Learn about our editorial process Updated June 1, 2024 Jonathan & Angela Scott / AWL Images / Getty Images Science Space Natural Science Technology Agriculture Energy In This Article Expand Climate Location Vegetation Wildlife Fires Frequently Asked Questions The savanna biome consists of areas of open grassland with very few trees. Biomes are defined by their unique vegetation and animal life, and the savanna is a type of grassland biome. There are two kinds of savannas: tropical and semi-tropical savannas. Tropical savannas are typically found near the equator and experience distinct wet and dry seasons that support a diverse range of wildlife and dense grasses. Semi-tropical savannas, on the other hand, are located in regions just outside the tropics and have slightly more temperate climates, often featuring a mix of grasslands and scattered shrubs or trees. Key Takeaways: Savanna Biome Animals including elephants, giraffes, lions, and cheetahs make their homes in the savanna.Due to its open environment, camouflage and mimicry are essential for animal survival in the savanna.Savannas have extreme wet seasons and dry seasons. They can receive over four feet of rain during the wet season, and as little as a few inches during the dry.Due to this lack of precipitation, it can be very difficult for large plants like trees to grow in savannas.While savannas are located on six of the seven continents, the largest are found in equatorial Africa. Climate The savanna climate varies according to the season. In the wet season, the weather is warm and a savanna receives as much as 50 inches of rain. But during the dry season, it can be extremely hot, and rainfall will amount to only four inches each month. This combination of high temperatures and little precipitation makes savannas perfect areas for grass and brush fires during their dry seasons. Location Grasslands are located on every continent except Antarctica. The largest savannas are located in Africa near the equator. One of the most famous African savannas is Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, which is known for its large wildebeest and zebra populations. The park is also home to lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, and gazelles. Other locations of savannas include: Africa: Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, and NamibiaAustraliaCentral America: Belize and HondurasSouth America: Venezuela and ColumbiaSouthern Asia Vegetation The savanna biome is often described as an area of grassland with dispersed trees or clusters of trees. The lack of water makes the savanna a difficult place for tall plants such as trees to grow. Grasses and trees that grow in the savanna have adapted to life with little water and hot temperatures. Grasses, for example, grow quickly in the wet season when water is abundant and turn brown in the dry season to conserve water. Some trees store water in their roots and only produce leaves during the wet season. Due to frequent fires, grasses are short and close to the ground and some plants are fire resistant. Examples of vegetation in the savanna include wild grasses, shrubs, baobab trees, and acacia trees. Wildlife Katherine Villanueva / EyeEm The savanna is home to many large land mammals, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinoceroses, buffalo, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Other animals include baboons, crocodiles, antelopes, meerkats, ants, termites, kangaroos, ostriches, and snakes. Many of the savanna biome animals are grazing herbivores that migrate through the region. They rely on their herd numbers and speed for survival, as the vast open areas provide little means of escape from quick predators. If the prey is too slow, it becomes dinner. If the predator is not fast enough, it goes hungry. Camouflage and mimicry are also very important to animals of the savanna. Predators often need to blend in with their environment to sneak up on unsuspecting prey. The puff adder, for example, is a snake with sandy coloring that allows it to blend in with dry grasses and shrubs. Prey also use the same camouflage technique as a defense mechanism to conceal themselves from animals higher up on the food chain. Fires Due to the number and types of vegetation in savannas, fires can occur at different times of the year in both the dry and wet seasons. During the wet season, lightning strikes often cause natural fires in savannas. In the dry season, dry grasses can be fuel for the fires. With the advent of human settlements in some savanna areas, controlled burns may be used for land clearing and cultivation. Frequently Asked Questions What do savannas look like? Savannas look like rolling grasslands dotted with isolated shrubs, trees, and sporadic patches of forest. What is a tropical grassland? Savannas differ from traditional grasslands because they support scattered tree growth (hence the word "tropical"), creating a mix of open grassland and tree cover. This tree growth is not dense enough to form a closed canopy, thus allowing enough sunlight to reach the ground and support ample grass growth. What's the difference between a savanna and a desert? Deserts get too little precipitation to support trees, grass, or any plants. Savannas have just enough rainfall or access to water to support grass—lots of grass—and sporadic trees. Where are savannas located in the world? Savannas flank tropical rainforests to the north and south. The most famous stretches of savanna are in Africa, but they also occur in Australia, India, Southeast Asia (Myanmar and Thailand), and South America. View Article Sources Woodward, Susan L. “Tropical Savannas.” Biomes of the World, Department of Geospatial Science, Radford University.