Page 15 - How It Works - Book Of Amazing Answers To Curious Questions, Volume 05-15

Environment

Illustrations by Peter Scott / Ian Jackson / Art Agency

memories ,and can use this to recall where the buds from high up in the trees, while zebras graze survive. And where there are predators, there are
water holes are in this radius. Safari goers to these on the savannah floor. This means that there is scavengers, lurking on the sidelines. Spotted
regions have also noticed large ruts in the earth – little competition when it comes to finding hyenas are skilful hunters but they’re not picky
this is caused by elephants using their long, vegetarian food. eaters and will happily feast on the leftovers of
strong tusks to dig down into the soil while Another rather more curious way that other kills, as well as clean up any natural deaths.
searching for water or to eat the soil to take in savannah grasses stay in healthy balance is A very tough digestive tract enables the hyena to
valuable nutrients. through fire. During the dry season wildfires are a devour just about anything, and items that can’t
Grasses are the prime source of food for the common occurrence and can burn away huge be digested are swiftly regurgitated.
elephants and with so many other grazers, such patches of grassland. However, instead of being The large animals are just tiny cogs in the giant
as antelope and even rhinos, it’s difficult to see devastating, these fires can return much-needed wheel that keeps the savannah biome in balance.
how the grass doesn’t simply wear out. The secret nutrients to the soil and encourage new growth. Of equal importance are the smaller creatures
to this lies in both the grasses’ biology and in the Many different plant species are fireproof and and tiny insects that work the savannah soil and
niches filled by each animal. Constant cutting of can withstand the flames, and the fires also help decompose the waste to recycle nutrients.
common savannah grass species, such as red to prevent encroaching forests from taking over Humans also flourish on these grasslands.
grass or elephant grass, actually promotes fresh the grassland. Tribes such as the Maasai have lived and farmed
growth. This is because the grass growth occurs The hunters of the savannah are the big cats there for many years, as the soil facilitates the ©Sol 90; Bjørn Christian Tørrissen; Etosha National Park, Namibia
from the bottom of the shoot, so while they’re that sit at the very top of the food chain. Lions are, growth of cereal crops and the grazing of cattle.
nibbling away, the creatures are also gradually of course, the kings of the plains, but leopards, While we worry about garden invaders like foxes,
cultivating a grazing lawn. Different types of cheetah and African wild dogs are also high up in the Maasai are concerned about elephants
animals also have their own feeding techniques the savannah court. When the migratory herds trampling and eating their produce! They are a
and take greenery from various levels. For arrive it provides rich pickings for these stealthy culture steeped in tradition and have a strong
example, giraffes browse for shoots, leaves and predators, who ensure that only the fittest prey bond with the land.

How It Works 15