The New Childrens Encyclopedia

GRASSLANDS

65

TURKEY VULTURES

soar over the American

prairies, sniffing the wind

for dead animals to eat.

LOOK CLOSER: AMAZING GRASS

 FOXTAILS These

grasses have spiked seeds

that attach to passing

animals for dispersal.

O

Grasses are one of the biggest
families of flowering plant. They are
well suited to dry conditions since
they can store food in their roots.
Because their leaves grow from
below ground, grasses can survive
being nibbled by animals as long as
their roots are not disturbed. Their
tiny flowers are pollinated by the
wind rather than insects.

 BUFFALO GRASS

This short, hardy grass is

found on the plains of

North America.

 SPINIFEX Properly

known as Triodia, this

hummock grass covers

the Australian bush.

 WHEAT Cereal

crops were originally

wild grasses cultivated

for food by humans.

Burrowers Many small animals live in burrows. These protect

them from the hot sun and cold nights, and help them escape

from predators. Some animals live in burrows dug by other species.

LIFE ON THE PLAIN

The huge quantities of grass out on the prairie support some of the

worlds biggest herbivores, such as elephants, rhinos, and giraffes.

It also offers a hiding place for smaller animals and cover for

Meerkat^ predators to stalk their victims.

Grazers Most grazing animals live in large herds that offer protection from

predators. They have long legs for running and strong teeth for chewing

tough grass. Often they have to migrate to find fresh grass in the dry season.

Predators These rely on stealth to obtain

food. They frequently hunt in packs to isolate an animal

from a herd or to scare other predators from a kill.

Zebra

Hyena

Prairie dogs

65

Aardvark

Jackal

Lion

Wolf

Kangaroo Bison

AND ECOLOGYENVIRONMENT

FACTFILE

O

Elephant grass can grow to 26 ft (8 m)

high—tall enough to hide an elephant!

O

Cheetahs probably evolved in Asia.

Until about 20,000 years ago, their relatives

were commonplace in Europe, India, China,

and North America, not just in Africa. They

disappeared from many areas after the last

ice age.

O

The lack of trees mean that many birds

have to build their nests in burrows.

O

Grasslands are found on every continent

except for Antarctica.

(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.(c) 2012 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.