Savannas of South America vegetation and wildlife. Flora and fauna of South America. Fauna of South America
It is located in three climatic zones: temperate, subtropical and tropical, then animal and vegetable world these zones has differences due to climatic features.
In the semi-deserts of the temperate climatic zone, plants of the cereal family, wormwood, thrush, cinquefoil, fescue, prutnyak, and also bulbous plants- ephemeroids that transform its appearance on a short time in the spring, as a result of soil moisture, but under the influence of high daytime temperatures, they quickly fade, and the semi-desert again takes the form of a scorched space with a fragmentary arrangement of specific vegetation. In addition to herbs, shrubs and trees grow in this zone: sand acacia, juzgun, sucker, white saxaul, etc. In the Southern Hemisphere, succulent plants are added to these species. In the semi-desert zone there are conditions for cattle breeding.
Animal world It is represented by rodents (hamsters, jerboas, ground squirrels, mice, long-eared hedgehogs are found), reptiles, insects that hide from the heat of the day in burrows. Predators - polecat, fox, goitered antelope, saiga, birds - larks, bustard, which is an endangered species, eagle, etc.
in South America, in addition to the listed rodents, there are coypu, viscacha, armadillo, deer, pampas cat, birds: ostrich Nandu, tinamou, palmedei, and also condor.
sand acacia
The film below tells about a beauty bustard that lives in the semi-desert zone of Kazakhstan.
In Russia, semi-deserts are located along the southern border, in the regions of the Caspian and Ciscaucasia.
A distinctive feature of the semi-deserts of the subtropical climatic zone from the temperate one is the absence of negative temperatures in winter period. In the semi-deserts of the subtropical climate zone North Africa, Central Asia, in the Caucasus, in Australia, South America, a shrubby type of vegetation prevails, although sod species of grasses, wormwood are also common, prickly pear cactus, Billardier's saltpeter, astragalus, derzhiderevo, lavender, and wild euphorbia are often found.
Euphorbia wild
In the semi-deserts of North America, typical representatives of vegetation are cacti, creosote bush, agave, dasilirion, yucca, steam-leafed, xerophytic bromeliads.
Animal world subtropical zone semi-deserts, in addition to rodents and reptiles, are supplemented by ungulates (gazelles, donkeys), predators - leopard, cheetah, lions, hyenas, jackals. There are reptiles (turtles, lizards, geckos), birds, among which the black vulture and vultures are noteworthy. Insects are widely represented: many beetles, spiders, termites.
The tropical semi-desert zone is characterized by an arid and hot climate throughout the year. Plants are drought-resistant, with some ephemera. The sparse vegetation consists of acacia and tamarisk shrubs, a wide range succulents, irises, amaryllis, lilies grow here, which bloom during the rainy season. Solyanka, cereals, succulents predominate among herbs. In Australia, a small number of eucalyptus trees are found in places where groundwater is close. In the Kalahari semi-desert region, acacia is also the most common, from grass - aristida, aloe, cereal plants. The semi-deserts of America are characterized by cacti, presented in a huge species diversity, prickly thickets of acacia.
See a video about how aristida grows in semi-desert conditions.
Animal world tropical semi-desert America is inhabited by antelope ground squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, kangaroo mice, predators: coyote, puma, skunk, fox, wolf live here.
In Africa, in addition to rodents, snakes, reptiles, there are jackals, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, ostriches, ibis, camels, in Australia - a kangaroo, a Dingo dog, a one-humped camel.
The plants and animals of the African semi-desert and desert are described in the film:
.The main area of the vast territory of the mainland of South America extends in the equatorial - tropical latitudes, therefore, does not feel a lack of sunlight, although the climate of this part of the world is not at all as hot as African.
This is the wettest continent on the planet, and there are many natural causes. The pressure difference between warm land and the ocean environment, currents off the coast of the mainland; the Andes mountain range, stretching across a huge part of its territory, blocking the path westerly winds and contributing to the increase in humidity and the loss of a significant amount of precipitation.
The climate of South America is extremely diverse, because this continent extends through six climatic zones: from subequatorial to temperate. Along with areas of fertile nature, there are areas known for mild winters and cool summers, but famous for frequent rains and winds.
In the center of the mainland, precipitation is much less. And the highlands are distinguished by clean, dry air, but a harsh climate, where the bulk of the heavenly moisture falls, even in summer months, in the form of snow, and the weather is capricious, constantly changing during the day.
A person does not survive well in such places. Naturally, the vicissitudes of the weather affect other organisms that live there.
It is not surprising that with the data natural features, the world of fauna is incredibly diverse and rich. List of animals of South America is very extensive and impresses with its individual bright features of organic life that has taken root in this territory. It includes many beautiful and rare species creatures that amaze with their fantastic originality.
What animals are in South America live? Most have adapted well to living in harsh conditions, because some of them have to endure the discomfort of tropical rains and survive in the highlands, get used to the characteristics of shrouds and subequatorial forests.
The fauna of this continent is amazing. Here are just some of its representatives, the diversity of which can be seen on photos of South American animals.
Sloths
interesting mammals- the inhabitants of the forests are known to the whole world as very slow creatures. Peculiar animals are closely related to armadillos and anteaters, but outwardly they have little resemblance to them.
The number of sloth species included in the number animals endemic to South America, only about five. They unite in two families: two-toed and three-toed sloths, quite similar to each other. They are half a meter tall and weigh about 5 kg.
They resemble an awkward monkey in external features, and their thick shaggy hair looks like a haystack. It's curious that internal organs These animals differ in structure from other mammals. They lack hearing and vision acuity, teeth are underdeveloped, and the brain is rather primitive.
Pictured is an animal sloth
armadillos
Fauna of South America would be greatly impoverished without mammals. These are the most unusual animals of the edentulous - a detachment to which sloths are also ranked.
The animals are dressed by nature in something similar to chain mail, as if chained in armor, girded with hoops consisting of bone plates. They have teeth, but they are very small.
Their eyesight is not well developed, but their sense of smell and hearing are quite sharp. When feeding, such animals capture food with a sticky tongue, and are able to dig into loose earth in the blink of an eye.
Pictured is an armadillo
Ant-eater
Scroll animal names of south america would not be complete without amazing creation, how . This is an ancient outlandish mammal that existed in the early Miocene.
These representatives of the fauna inhabit the territories of shrouds and moist forests also live in swampy areas. They are divided by scientists into three genera, differing in weight and size.
Representatives of the genus of giants have a mass of up to 40 kg. They, as well as members of the genus of large anteaters, spend their lives on the ground and cannot climb trees. Unlike relatives, pygmy anteaters skillfully move along trunks and branches with the help of clawed paws and a tenacious tail.
Anteaters do not have teeth, and they spend their lives in search of termite mounds and anthills, absorbing their inhabitants with a sticky tongue, sticking their insects into the habitat of insects. a long nose. Anteater is able to eat several tens of thousands of termites per day.
Pictured is an anteater animal
Jaguar
Among animal forests of south america, dangerous predator killing one jump is . It is in his dexterous, lightning-fast ability to kill his victims that the meaning of the name of this beast, translated from the language of the indigenous inhabitants of the continent, lies.
The predator is also found in shrouds and belongs to the genus Panther, reaches a weight of just under 100 kg, has a spotted color, like a leopard, and has a long tail.
Such animals live in the north and in the central part of America, but are found in Argentina and Brazil. And in El Salvador and Uruguay some time ago they were completely exterminated.
Pictured is a jaguar
Mirikin monkey
American monkeys are endemic, and differ from relatives living on other continents by a wide partition separating the nostrils of these animals, for which they are called broad-nosed by many zoologists.
To this type of creatures inhabiting mountain forests, refers to Mirikina, otherwise called durukuli. These creatures, having a height of about 30 cm, are notable for the fact that, unlike others, they lead an owl lifestyle: they hunt at night, seeing perfectly and orienting themselves in the dark, and sleep during the day.
They jump like acrobats, eat small birds, insects, frogs, fruits and drink nectar. They know how to make a huge number of interesting sounds: they bark like a dog, meow; roar like jaguars; chirping and chirping like birds, filling the darkness of the night with diabolical concerts.
Mirikin monkey
titi monkey
It is not known exactly how many species of such monkeys exist in South America, since they have taken root in impenetrable forests, whose wilds cannot be fully explored.
Appearance titi resemble mirikin but have long claws. During the hunt, they guard their prey on the bough of a tree, picking up their arms and legs together, lowering their long tail down. But at the right moment, in the blink of an eye, they deftly grab their victims, whether it is a bird flying in the air or running along the ground, creature.
Pictured is a titi monkey
saki
These monkeys live in the forests of the interior regions of the continent. They spend their lives on the tops of trees, especially in areas of the Amazon, flooded with water on for a long time because they cannot tolerate dampness.
They jump on the branches very dexterously and far, and walk on the ground on their hind legs, helping themselves to maintain balance with their front legs. Zookeepers, watching these, noticed their habit of rubbing their own wool with pieces of lemon. And they drink, licking water from their hands.
white-faced saki
wakari monkey
Close relatives of the saki, living in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, are known for the shortest tail among the monkeys of the continent. These peculiar creatures, classified as endangered species and rare animals of south america, have red faces and a bald forehead, and with their lost and sad expression, they look like an aged, confused person in life.
However, appearances are deceiving, because the nature of these creatures is cheerful and cheerful. But when they get nervous, they smack their lips noisily and shake with all their might the bough they are on.
uakari monkey
Howler
South American harpy bird
Titicaca whistler frog
Otherwise, this creature is called the scrotum because of the flabbiness of its skin, hanging in folds. She uses her bizarre skin for breathing, as her lungs are small in volume.
This is the most big frog in the world, found in the waters of the Andes and on Lake Titicaca. Individual specimens grow up to half a meter and weigh about a kilogram. The color of the back of such creatures is dark brown or olive, often with light spots, the belly is lighter, creamy gray.
Titicaca whistler frog
American manatee
A large mammal that inhabits the shallow waters of the Atlantic coast. Able to live also in fresh water. The average length is three or more meters, the weight in some cases reaches 600 kg.
These creatures are painted in rough grey colour, and their forelimbs resemble flippers. They eat plant foods. They have poor eyesight, and communicate by touching their muzzles.
American manatee
Amazonian inia dolphin
The largest of. His body weight can be estimated at 200 kg. These creatures are painted in dark tones, and sometimes have a reddish skin tone.
They have small eyes and a curved beak covered with tin bristles. Live in captivity no more three years and are difficult to train. They have poor eyesight, but a developed system of echolocation.
river dolphin inia
piranha fish
This aquatic creature, famous for its lightning-fast attacks, has received the title of the most voracious fish of the continent. Having a height of no more than 30 cm, she ruthlessly and brazenly attacks animals and does not disdain to eat carrion.
The shape of the body has the form of a rhombus, compressed from the sides. Usually the color is silver-gray. There are also herbivorous species These fish feed on vegetation, seeds and nuts.
Pictured is a piranha fish
Giant arapaima fish
According to scientists, the appearance of this ancient fish, a living fossil, remained unchanged for millions of centuries. Separate individuals, as they say locals continent, reach four meters in length, and weight is estimated at 200 kg. True, ordinary specimens are more modest in size, but it is a valuable commercial one.
Giant arapaima fish
electric eel
most dangerous big fish, having a mass of up to 40 kg, found in the shallow rivers of the continent and having enough human victims on its account.
Capable of emitting electric charge high power, but it is powered only small fish. It has an elongated body and smooth, scaly skin. The color of the fish is orange or brown.
Electric eel fish
Agrias claudina butterfly
most beautiful rainforest with a span, saturated with colors, bright wings of 8 cm. The shape and combination of shades depends on the subspecies of the described insects, of which there are about ten. It is not easy to see a butterfly, as they are rare. Even harder to capture such beauty.
Agrias claudina butterfly
Butterfly nymphalida
With wide wings of medium size, bright and variegated colors. The lower part usually merges with environment against the background of dry leaves. These insects actively pollinate flowering plants. Their caterpillars feed on grasses and leaves.
Butterfly nymphalida
NATURE OF MATERIALS AND OCEANS
§ 33. PLANT AND ANIMAL WORLD OF SOUTH AMERICA
To what continent natural conditions, similar South America?
South America, like Africa, is located mainly in the hot zone. This led to the existence of tropical forests, savannahs and deserts there.
The location of South America in a hot zone has determined the rich and diverse flora and fauna of the mainland.
On both sides of the equator stretched evergreen and multi-tiered tropical forests. The tropical forests of South America are more humid than in Africa, so there is a more diverse flora and fauna. In the upper tier of the forest, trees with spreading crowns up to 80 m high grow, under them - palm trees, ficuses, bananas, pineapples, papaya (or melon tree), cocoa (or chocolate tree), creepers, orchids (Fig. 104).
Orchids Cocoa Papaya
Rice. 104. Plants of tropical forests of South America
Animals populate all tiers rainforest. Here reigns the kingdom of spiders and insects. Many different monkeys and birds live in the trees. Only in the tropical forests of South America lives the most long snake- anaconda, as well as its main enemy - the jaguar. Only here you can meet tiny hummingbirds and large predatory harpies.
Consider the animals that live in the tropical forests of South America, read their names (Fig. 105).
Anaconda Hummingbird Macaw
Jaguar Sloth Harpy
Rice. 105. South American rainforest animals
To the north and south of the rainforest lie savannahs covered with grasses, trees, and shrubs. In the north they are very reminiscent African savannas, but palm trees grow here instead of baobabs.
In the drier savannas, which are located south of the equator, trees do not grow. Shrubs and tree-like cacti predominate here, in the stems of which a supply of water accumulates. It happens very solid wood kebrago that sinks in water.
In the South American savannas, in contrast to the African, the animal world is somewhat poorer. Here you will not meet large flocks of herbivores.
Consider the animals of the savannas of South America, read their names (Fig. 106).
Tapir Anteater Nandu
Rice. 106. Animals of the South American savannas
Deserts in South America are located in the south of the mainland. The vegetation cover in the desert is very sparse and poor. Mostly small animals live here: lizards, snakes and rodents.
The rainforests and shrouds of South America are home to a variety of plants and animals. Deserts are inhabited by organisms adapted to the lack of water.
1. Why is the flora and fauna of South America very diverse? 2. What is the flora and fauna of tropical forests? 3. What plants and animals are common in the savannas of South America? 4. What are the plants and animals in the deserts of South America? 5. Find information and prepare a report about a plant or animal common in South America.
South America is the fourth largest continent and lies in southern hemisphere. Five climatic zones determine the features of the flora and fauna: equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate, most of The mainland has a warm climate.
The flora and fauna are very rich, many species are found exclusively here. South America is a record holder in many ways, the longest and most deep river Amazon in the world, are the longest Mountain chain Andes, located the largest Mountain Lake Titicaca is the rainiest continent on earth. All this significantly influenced the development of wildlife.
Nature different countries South America:
Flora of South America
The flora of South America is rightfully considered the main wealth of the mainland. Such well-known plants as tomatoes, potatoes, corn, chocolate tree, rubber tree were discovered here.
The tropical rain forests of the northern part of the mainland still amaze with the richness of species, and today scientists continue to discover new plant species here. These forests are found different types palm trees, melon tree. There are 750 species of trees and 1,500 species of flowers per 10 square kilometers of this forest.
The forest is so dense that it is extremely difficult to move through it, vines also make it difficult to move. A characteristic plant for the rainforest is ceiba. The forest in this part of the mainland can reach a height of over 100 meters and spread over 12 levels!
To the south of the selva there are variable-moist forests and savannahs, where the quebracho tree grows, which is famous for its very hard and very heavy wood, a valuable and expensive raw material. In the savannas, small forests give way to thickets of cereals, shrubs and tough grasses.
Further south are the pampas - the South American steppes. Here you can find many types of herbs, common for Eurasia: feather grass, bearded vulture, fescue. The soil here is quite fertile, as there is less rainfall and it is not washed out. Shrubs and small trees grow among the grasses.
The south of the mainland is desert, the climate there is more severe, and therefore the vegetation is much poorer. Shrubs, some types of grasses and cereals grow on the stony soil of the Patagonian desert. All plants are resistant to drought and constant weathering of the soil, among them are resinous chanyar, chukuraga, Patagonian fabiana.
Fauna of South America
The animal world, like vegetation, is very rich, many species have not yet been described and qualified. The richest region is the Amazonian selva. It is here that such amazing animals as sloths, the smallest hummingbirds in the world, a huge number of amphibians, among which poisonous frogs, reptiles, including huge anacondas, the world's largest rodent capybara, tapirs, jaguars, river dolphins. Hunting in the forest at night wild cat ocelot, resembling a leopard, but found only in America.
According to scientists, 125 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and an unknown number of species of insects and invertebrates live in the selva. rich and water world Amazons, its most famous representative - predatory fish piranha. Other famous predators- crocodiles and caimans.
The savannahs of South America are also different rich fauna. Armadillos are found here, amazing animals covered with plates - “armor”. Other animals that can only be found here are anteaters, rhea ostriches, spectacled bear, puma, kinkajou.
In the pampas of this continent there are deer and llamas who live in open spaces and who can find here the grasses that they feed on. The Andes have their own special inhabitants - llamas and alpacas, whose thick wool saves them from the high mountain cold.
In the deserts of Patagonia, where only hard grasses and small shrubs grow on stony soil, mainly small animals, insects, and various types of rodents live.
South America includes the Pacific Galapogos Islands, which are home to amazing turtles, the largest representatives of the family on earth.
Deserts and semi-deserts are waterless, dry regions of the planet, where no more than 25 cm of precipitation falls per year. The most important factor in their formation is the wind. However, not all deserts experience hot weather; on the contrary, some of them are considered the coldest regions of the Earth. Representatives of flora and fauna have adapted in different ways to harsh conditions these areas.
How do deserts and semi-deserts arise?
There are many reasons for the formation of deserts. For example, there is little rainfall because it is located at the foot of the mountains, which, with their ridges, cover it from rain.
Ice deserts formed for other reasons. In Antarctica and the Arctic, the main snow mass falls on the coast; snow clouds practically do not reach the interior regions. Precipitation levels generally vary greatly, for one snowfall, for example, an annual norm can fall. Such snow drifts form over hundreds of years.
Hot deserts are distinguished by the most diverse relief. Only some of them are completely covered with sand. The surface of most is littered with pebbles, stones and other miscellaneous rocks. Deserts are almost completely open to weathering. Strong gusts of wind pick up fragments of small stones and hit them on the rocks.
In sandy deserts, the wind carries the sand across the area, creating undulating sediments, which are called dunes. The most common type of dunes are dunes. Sometimes their height can reach 30 meters. Ridge dunes can be up to 100 meters high and stretch for 100 km.
Temperature regime
The climate of deserts and semi-deserts is quite diverse. In some regions daily temperature can reach the level of 52 ° C. This phenomenon is associated with the absence of clouds in the atmosphere, thus, nothing saves the surface from direct sun rays. At night, the temperature drops a lot, again due to the lack of clouds that can trap the heat radiated from the surface.
In hot deserts, rain is rare, but sometimes there are heavy downpours. After rain, water does not soak into the ground, but rapidly flows from the surface, washing away particles of soil and pebbles into dry channels, which are called wadis.
Location of deserts and semi-deserts
On the continents, which are located in the northern latitudes, there are deserts and semi-deserts of the subtropical and sometimes also tropical - in the Indo-Gangetic lowland, in Arabia, in Mexico, in the southwestern United States. In Eurasia, extratropical desert regions are located in the Central Asian and South Kazakh plains, in the basin of Central Asia and in the Near Asian highlands. The Central Asian desert formations are characterized by a sharply continental climate.
In the southern hemisphere, deserts and semi-deserts are less common. Here are located such desert and semi-desert formations as Namib, Atacama, desert formations on the coast of Peru and Venezuela, Victoria, Kalahari, Gibson Desert, Simpson, Gran Chaco, Patagonia, Great sandy desert and the Karoo semi-desert in southwestern Africa.
Polar deserts are located on the continental islands of the near-glacial regions of Eurasia, on the islands of the Canadian archipelago, in the north of Greenland.
Animals
Animals of deserts and semi-deserts for many years of existence in such areas have managed to adapt to harsh climatic conditions. From cold and heat, they hide in underground burrows and feed mainly on underground parts of plants. Among the representatives of the fauna there are many types of carnivores: fennec fox, cougars, coyotes and even tigers. The climate of deserts and semi-deserts has contributed to the fact that many animals have perfectly developed a thermoregulation system. Some desert dwellers can withstand fluid loss of up to a third of their weight (for example, geckos, camels), and among invertebrates there are species that can lose water up to two thirds of their weight.
AT North America and Asia there are a lot of reptiles, especially a lot of lizards. Snakes are also quite common: ephs, various Poisonous snakes, boas. Of the large animals, there are saiga, kulans, camels, pronghorn, it has recently disappeared (it can still be found in captivity).
Animals of the desert and semi-desert of Russia are a great variety unique representatives fauna. The desert regions of the country are inhabited by sandstone hares, hedgehogs, kulan, dzheyman, poisonous snakes. In the deserts that are located on the territory of Russia, you can also find 2 types of spiders - karakurt and tarantula.
AT polar deserts inhabit polar bear, musk ox, arctic fox and some species of birds.
Vegetation
If we talk about vegetation, then in deserts and semi-deserts there are various cactus, hard-leaved grasses, psammophyte shrubs, ephedra, acacias, saxaul, soap palm, edible lichen and others.
Deserts and semi-deserts: soil
The soil, as a rule, is poorly developed, and water-soluble salts predominate in its composition. The ancient alluvial and loess-like deposits predominate, which are reworked by the winds. Gray-brown soil is inherent in elevated flat areas. Deserts are also characterized by solonchaks, that is, soils that contain about 1% of easily soluble salts. In addition to deserts, salt marshes are also found in steppes and semi-deserts. Groundwater, which contains salts, when it reaches the soil surface, is deposited in its upper layer, resulting in soil salinization.
Completely different are characteristic of such climatic zones like subtropical deserts and semi-deserts. The soil in these regions has a specific orange and brick red color. Noble for its shades, it received the appropriate name - red soil and yellow soil. In the subtropical zone in northern Africa and in South and North America there are deserts where gray soils have formed. Red-yellow soils have developed in some tropical desert formations.
Natural and semi-desert - a huge variety of landscapes, climatic conditions, flora and fauna. Despite the harsh and cruel nature of the deserts, these regions have become home to many species of plants and animals.