What Are Some Animal Adaptations in the Savanna?
Animal adaptations in the savanna, as described by COTF, include access to water stored in trees during the dry season, increased speed and agility to escape flames caused by lightning on dry ground, burrowing as protection from fire and living dormant through times of food scarcity. Animal adaptations are necessary in the savanna due to the extreme contrast between a long dry season and a very wet season.
The African elephant has physical adaptations of tusks and a long trunk to drink adequate water and gather food during times of severe drought. Improved eyesight, long legs and stamina are the adaptations of the African wild dog to wear out its prey.
The baboon, lynx and mongoose have similar physical adaptations of sharp teeth, long claws and body strength, as protection in the open environments of the savanna. Behavioral adaptations such as animal migration during the contrasting seasons, grazing to feed on the abundant grasses that grow, camouflage as protection in open areas and being nocturnal to avoid predators, are common in the savanna, states the website Education.com.
Examples of behavioral adaptations include the cheetah’s spotted coat to blend with surroundings and the zebra’s style of running zigzag, from side to side, increasing the difficulty of capture by predators.
