Another Plant in this biome...

Jackal Berry tree are one of the most common plants in the African savanna. It is found growing on termite mounds. This tree has a symbiotic mutual relationship with the termites. The tree provides them shelter and the termites provide the tree aerated soil and a source of moisture. This is an amazing way this tree has adapted to savanna life.

Animals such as kukus, nyalas, impalas, warthogs, baboons, parrots, and hornbills, to name a few, love to eat the fruit of the Jackal Berry.

Jackal berry trees are part of the African Ebony family. What characteristics do they portray?

The Leopard: Hunter of Shadows :)

The leopard is the smallest cat of the panthera family. The others include tigers, jaguars, and lions. Leopards resemble jaguars but live in totally different biomes and continents. It eats any animal it can catch. Their role is similar to the cougars in north america. Leopards are opportunistic hunters.

Although mid-sized animals are preferred, the leopard will eat anything from dung beetles to 900 kg (1,984 lb) male giant elands. Their diet consists mostly of ungulates and monkeys, but rodents, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish are also eaten. In Africa, mid-sized antelopes provide a majority of the leopard's prey, especially impala and Thomson's gazelles.

Leopards have adapted to survive on this biome by eating whatever it can catch. They also move mostly around at night because it is less hot but this occurs only in the savanna. This animal boasts the largest range of any big cat. Leopards adapt best to many kinds of environment from Siberia to hot savannas.

Leopards are very adaptable. What was their former range of distribution before humans started to affect them dramatically?

Rahhhhhh: Lion: the king of beasts!

Simba with his mom: JK!

Lions are part of the Panthera family like leopards. They live in sub-Saharan Africa in the savannas and the Gir Forest in India. Lions are a social cat, living in family groups called prides with a dominant male and many females and cubs. They are the top predator on the savanna.

There are many ways that lions have adapted to their environment. Savanna nights are sometimes very cold. Male lions have manes that help insulate body warmth. Sometimes hunting large animals on the savanna may be difficult. Lions have evolved into social groups to work together and hunt better.

Lions are often called the king of beasts because of their mane. There is another cat that is larger than lions. What is it? And what are the measurements compared to a lion's?