10 Savanna Animals Roaming African Grasslands

Although thousands of other animals are worth researching, the following list highlights some of the most dominant species in Sub-Saharan Africa.

1. African Bush Elephant

African elephants are the largest land mammals on earth, often reaching sizes of up to 11 feet (3.4 meters) and 15,000 pounds (6,803 kg). These massive, highly intelligent creatures feed primarily on grasses, shrubs, roots, bark and leaves from scattered trees.

Elephants typically survive most predator threats thanks to their large size, strong trunks, and long, sharp tusks. Unfortunately, ivory poachers prize these specialized defense tools, so countries like Kenya, Namibia and South Africa have established natural preserves to protect these critically endangered giants.

2. Cheetahs

A cheetah is a tall, lean cat with pale, creamy blonde fur speckled with solid black spots that help it blend into its surroundings. This fastest land animal can reach speeds ranging between 50 and 80 mph (80 and 120 km/h) while chasing down their prey.

This extreme acceleration and natural camouflage are essential since their primary targets — gazelles and impalas — are equally speedy and agile.

3. Gazelles

Gazelles are small, deer-like members of the antelope family. They feed on plants and grasses for sustenance and moisture, allowing large herds to stay on the move as they avoid predators.

Their primary weapons are curved defensive horns, powerful hoofed legs for kicking and large ears that provide keen hearing for detecting local threats. Gazelles are also extremely fast and can cover great distances with each leaping bound, making them one of the most elusive prey targets on the planet.

4. Giraffes

Giraffes have extremely oversized and accentuated features, from long necks and tongues for harvesting hard-to-reach vegetation to giant, lean legs that allow them to tower over every other animal on Earth. Full-grown adult giraffes typically reach heights between 16 and 20 feet (5 and 6 meters).

5. Hyenas

Hyenas are doglike creatures known for their aggressive nature — similar in appearance and temperament to Tasmanian Devils of Australia. They hunt prey in large packs called clans, ranging between 10 and 100 members.

These clans typically target small animals or scavenge the corpses of a wide range of different animals that have died naturally or were killed by lions and other apex predators.

6. Lions

Lions are the largest land predators in the African continent and the second-largest cats on Earth. They live in large groups with complex social hierarchies called prides. Female lionesses work together to track and hunt prey, while larger male lions protect their pride from potential threats.

Although large and muscular, these cats are extremely agile and rely mainly on stealth to get within striking range of their targets. They typically stalk quietly and low to the ground, where their blondish-brown fur blends in with surrounding shrubs and tall grasses.

7. Meerkats

This adorable mongoose species has a small stature and strong fore-claws, which help them fit into tight hiding places in rocky areas or burrow into the ground to escape predators. Meerkats live in highly social groups and eat a diet of insects, roots, eggs and fruits.

8. Rhinos

Rhinos are large, bulky mammals known for their distinctive keratin horns at the ends of their snouts that help them ward off predators and dig up roots and grasses for food.

White rhinos were once thought to be extinct. Despite poaching and habitat loss, conservation efforts have helped both white rhino and black rhino numbers increase in recent years.

9. Wildebeests

These large, horned antelope species dominate watering holes throughout East Africa and are separated into two subspecies. The blue wildebeest is brindled with horns off to the side, while the black wildebeest presents a darker face with horns pointing forward.

Herds of blue wildebeest often travel to new grazing grounds, while nomadic black wildebeests are constantly moving. Both species breed after the end of the wet season and protect their offspring from predators as their herds travel.

10. Zebra

Zebras are African equines known for their distinctive striped pattern. While the actual function of these stripes is debated, most findings state that they break up the zebra's outline to deter flies, help zebras hide and confuse predators.

The most dramatic Darwinian interactions of the savanna biome occur between herbivores (animals that eat plants) and carnivores (animals that eat other animals and insects). Even within these main groups, there is perpetual competition for mates and essential resources like food and water.

Competition intensifies during the dry season, resulting in long periods without rain. Limited seasonal water availability forces herbivores to migrate toward the few remaining water holes, where predators stalk them at every turn.

Lions and cheetahs are some of the apex predators responsible for most of the carnage that also feed a large scavenger population of hyenas and vultures. When these meat-eaters eventually die, their bodies break down and fertilize the soil, boosting plant life to continue the cycle.

The open woodlands and vast plains of Africa might be the most famous environment on Earth thanks to its dramatic landscape teeming with diverse wildlife. However, there are several similar habitats on Earth where you can find unique savanna animals — one of the most prominent being the Brazilian Cerrado.

You won't find any lions in the Cerrado, but it's home to the jaguar, giant armadillo, giant anteater, tapir and maned wolf.

Habitat conservation is essential in savannas, which host several endangered and highly threatened species. Many of these rare animals are keystone species that protect the natural balance of ecosystems and illustrate a habitat's overall ecological health.

Humans must play a significant role in reversing and eventually healing much of the damage caused by habitat loss, poaching and pollution if there is any hope for these animals (and our planet) to survive.