Facts to know about the Grassland Biome:
Climate
Temperate grassland biome climate varies depending on the season. Summers are usually hot, and temperatures can go up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are usually cold, and temperatures can fall to below zero degrees Fahrenheit in specific areas. This biome experiences long, hot summers depending on the latitude of the temperate grassland. The soil in temperate grassland biome is especially fertile. However, the dry climate prevents larger plants from thriving here. Temperate grassland biome is characterized by fairly low rainfall (20-35 inches) throughout the year. The most rainfall occurs in late spring and early summer.
Animal Life
The animals that live in temperate grasslands have adapted to the dry, windy conditions. There are grazing animals like gazelle and deer, burrowing animals such as mice and jackrabbits, and predators such as snakes and coyotes.The major animal species found in temperate grassland biomes are large grass-eating, hoofed mammals that leverage the wide range of grasses and those that have special digestive systems to break down the grasses. These mammals are able to see predators lurking due to the characteristic short grass of the biome, and this allows most to outpace the predators.
More examples of animal species existing in North American temperate grassland biome include lions, antelopes, pronghorn, bison, badgers, including small animals and birds such as quails, grouses, blackbirds, owls, hawks, grasshoppers, snakes, spiders, and leafhoppers.
More examples of animal species existing in North American temperate grassland biome include lions, antelopes, pronghorn, bison, badgers, including small animals and birds such as quails, grouses, blackbirds, owls, hawks, grasshoppers, snakes, spiders, and leafhoppers.
Plant Life
Grasses dominate temperate grasslands. Trees and large shrubs are rarely found in grassland areas. There are many species of grasses that live in this biome, including, purple needlegrass, wild oats, foxtail, ryegrass, and buffalo grass. Many animals munch on these grasses, but they survive because the growth point on the grasses is very close to the ground.There are two major types of plants ; grasses and shrubs. Some short grasses are buffalo grass, alfalfa, ragweed, and blue grass. Some tall grasses are big blue stem, iron weed, and wheat grass. Some shrubs are trees, herbs, flowers (sunflowers), and weeds.