Many organisms that inhabit the savanna have adapted in order to survive in the occasional harsh conditions that this habitat experiences! Here are some of them!
Baobab Trees:
The Baobab Trees have adapted to the dry season that the savanna experiences and are now able to store water in their large trunks to prepare for the lack of water that the dry season includes. Another way in which the Baobab trees have adapted to this dry season is by only producing small, finger-like leaves wet season. These small, clustered, and finger-like leaves help the tree conserve as much water as possible.
Elephants:
Elephants have also adapted to the dry season by developing their massive bodies to obtain a physical strength that enables them to tear open the trunk of a Baobab tree. In doing this, the elephant can get its share of water and prevent dehydration during the dry season.
Small Burrowing Animals:
Small animals have also adapted to the dry season by staying dormant throughout the duration of the dry season. This is much like bears do throughout the winter in other biomes. Another way in which these animals have adapted to life in the savanna involves their fire escape methods. One way they have learned to escape the fires is by burrowing deep underground until the flames have passed.
Birds & Large Mammals:
Along with the dry season comes many potential threats. One common threat is the constant lightning storms that occur. With the lack of water, these strikes of lighting can easily destroy the areas it hits. These birds and mammals have adapted to living with the fires with the help of their abilities to fly away or to run fast in order to escape the spreading fires.
Acacia Tree:
The Acacia tree has adapted to life in the savanna by growing long roots that reach great depths and in turn are able to reach the underground water sources. These long roots aid the tree's ability to stay alive throughout the dry season. Another adaptation the tree has possessed is its fire resistance which proves extremely helpful for its survival. These trees also protect itself from predators by growing thorns. Within these thorns, live stinging ants which have hollowed out the leaves they inhabit. When an animals take a bite of these leaves, their mouths are filled with thorns and angry stinging ants; thus preventing animals from eating its leaves. One main predator to this tree's leaves is the giraffe. This animal grazes on the tops of the trees, giving them their domed shaped top. The Acacia tree has created a behavioral adaptation to this specific predator by using a chemical defense system that is triggered when the giraffe begins munching on the leaves. A poisonous alkaloid that tastes extremely unappealing is emitted into the leaves. In result, when the giraffes continue to eat, the leaves will get more and more unappealing until the leaves become inedible. After making its leaves inedible, the Acacia then warns the other Acacia trees by emitting a chemical into the air. In response, the other Acacia trees pump the alkaline poison into their leaves too.
Baobab Trees:
The Baobab Trees have adapted to the dry season that the savanna experiences and are now able to store water in their large trunks to prepare for the lack of water that the dry season includes. Another way in which the Baobab trees have adapted to this dry season is by only producing small, finger-like leaves wet season. These small, clustered, and finger-like leaves help the tree conserve as much water as possible.
Elephants:
Elephants have also adapted to the dry season by developing their massive bodies to obtain a physical strength that enables them to tear open the trunk of a Baobab tree. In doing this, the elephant can get its share of water and prevent dehydration during the dry season.
Small Burrowing Animals:
Small animals have also adapted to the dry season by staying dormant throughout the duration of the dry season. This is much like bears do throughout the winter in other biomes. Another way in which these animals have adapted to life in the savanna involves their fire escape methods. One way they have learned to escape the fires is by burrowing deep underground until the flames have passed.
Birds & Large Mammals:
Along with the dry season comes many potential threats. One common threat is the constant lightning storms that occur. With the lack of water, these strikes of lighting can easily destroy the areas it hits. These birds and mammals have adapted to living with the fires with the help of their abilities to fly away or to run fast in order to escape the spreading fires.
Acacia Tree:
The Acacia tree has adapted to life in the savanna by growing long roots that reach great depths and in turn are able to reach the underground water sources. These long roots aid the tree's ability to stay alive throughout the dry season. Another adaptation the tree has possessed is its fire resistance which proves extremely helpful for its survival. These trees also protect itself from predators by growing thorns. Within these thorns, live stinging ants which have hollowed out the leaves they inhabit. When an animals take a bite of these leaves, their mouths are filled with thorns and angry stinging ants; thus preventing animals from eating its leaves. One main predator to this tree's leaves is the giraffe. This animal grazes on the tops of the trees, giving them their domed shaped top. The Acacia tree has created a behavioral adaptation to this specific predator by using a chemical defense system that is triggered when the giraffe begins munching on the leaves. A poisonous alkaloid that tastes extremely unappealing is emitted into the leaves. In result, when the giraffes continue to eat, the leaves will get more and more unappealing until the leaves become inedible. After making its leaves inedible, the Acacia then warns the other Acacia trees by emitting a chemical into the air. In response, the other Acacia trees pump the alkaline poison into their leaves too.