The rhinoceros is found in the savannah. Where do rhinoceroses live, and what types are they? Pictured is a white rhinoceros

There is no winter or summer in the savannah. There are rainy seasons followed by drought. During drought, trees and shrubs shed their leaves to reduce moisture evaporation. And many trees store water for future use, such as the baobab tree.

Its thick trunk (it would take several people to grasp it) is rotten and empty inside. And water accumulates in it, as if in a huge flask.

And in the heat, elephants sometimes break the trunks of baobab trees with their tusks in search of life-giving moisture. The trunks of some trees are protected from loss of moisture and from frequent fires by thick bark, like armor.

It’s difficult for the inhabitants of the savannas now. Many lakes and rivers dry up, and all living things are drawn to the few who take heed. Countless herds of antelope roam, making long journeys to places where water can be found. And they are followed by predators - cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, jackals... With the onset of the rainy season, the savanna comes to life. Everything around is blossoming. The antelopes return to their former pastures. You can also see towering cone-shaped termite mounds.

The fauna of the savannas amazes with its richness and diversity. You can see giraffes, zebras and ostriches grazing nearby. In the warm water of the lakes, in their mud “baths,” hippos and rhinoceroses bask.

Lions rest in the shade of spreading acacia trees. The largest animals on land, elephants, tear off branches with their trunks. And monkeys scream in the treetops. And also a huge number of species of insects, snakes, birds...

Animals of the African savannah

Cheetah

No one can escape the cheetah. Even fast gazelles are doomed if he gives chase. The cheetah is the fastest animal on Earth. Over a short distance, it can run at speeds of up to 120 km per hour. Has sharp vision. It lives alone or in pairs. In a deserted, secluded place, the female gives birth to 1–5 cubs. However, they are often killed by leopards, lions and hyenas. And adult cheetahs are from poachers. Cheetahs were once found throughout almost all of Africa, Western Asia, Turkmenistan and India. Now they have survived only in nature reserves. The animals are well tamed, but do not breed in captivity. In ancient times, cheetahs were kept in special nurseries and used instead of greyhounds during hunting by noble Arabs and Indian rajahs. Now this is prohibited.

African buffalo

Ruminant bovid animal. Lives south of the Sahara. The large African bull is Kaffir, or black. The buffalo easily adapts to its surrounding conditions. With its huge horns it can repel the attack of a lioness. The buffalo herd is gradually decreasing. The buffalo became an object of hunting only for its meat and skin. However, many hunters died from the horns and hooves of buffalo. A wounded or enraged Kaffir bull becomes especially dangerous.

Greater Kudu

Among all the antelopes living on the African continent, large kudu have the most striking and memorable appearance. These tall and majestic animals grow up to one and a half meters at the shoulders and can weigh more than three hundred kilograms, thus being one of the largest antelopes in the world.

Their native home is the eastern and central regions of Africa. Here, depending on the season, they inhabit bush-covered plains, savannas, forests, and occasionally desert hillsides, and in the dry season they gather along river banks. When choosing places to live and search for food, large kudu prefer bushy thickets.

Greater kudu's gray-brown coat is adorned with bright white stripes on their sides, white cheek markings, and diagonal stripes between the eyes called chevrons. The fur of males is dark, with a gray tint, while females and cubs are painted in beige tones - this makes them more invisible among the savannah vegetation.

The main advantage of male great kudu is their large helical horns. Unlike deer, kudu do not shed their antlers and live with them all their lives. The horns of an adult male are twisted in two and a half turns and grow strictly according to a certain schedule: appearing in the first year of a male’s life, by the age of two they make one full turn, and take their final shape no earlier than the age of six. If the horn of a large kudu is pulled out into one straight line, its length will be slightly less than two meters.

African savannah elephant

African savannah elephant - the largest land mammal in the world. These animals grow up to 3.96 m at the withers and can weigh up to 10 tons, but most often have a size at the withers of up to 3.2 m and a weight of up to 6 tons. They have a long and very flexible trunk that ends in nostrils. The trunk is used to capture food and water and transfer it to the mouth. On the sides of the mouth there are two long teeth called tusks. Elephants have thick, gray skin that protects them from the deadly bites of predators. This species of elephant is common in African savannas and grasslands. Elephants are herbivores and eat grasses, fruits, tree leaves, bark, shrubs, etc. These animals have important work in savannas. They eat bushes and trees, and thereby help the grass grow. This allows many herbivorous animals to survive. Today there are about 150,000 elephants in the world and they are endangered because poachers kill them for their ivory.

Giraffe

The giraffe is the tallest animal on our planet. The height of this majestic mammal can reach 6 meters. 1/3 of its height comes from its long neck. And the weight of an adult animal can exceed a ton.

A giraffe simply needs a long neck in order to survive in the savannahs of Africa. It would be logical to say that with the onset of drought, food became less available, and only those giraffes with a long neck could reach the tops of the trees. And accordingly, the chances for survival and reproduction of giraffes with short neck it was hundreds of times smaller. But Namibian zoologist Rob Siemens suggests that giraffes' long necks are a consequence of neck battles between males. After all, the winner always has more attention from females, and accordingly he will have more offspring. It’s difficult to say who is right and who is wrong.

Despite the fact that the neck of giraffes reaches two meters in length, it has only 7 cervical vertebrae, just like a human. And when, during the rare hours of sleep, the giraffe decides to lie down, it rests its head on its back or hind leg for a long time. A giraffe sleeps only two hours a day. And he spends almost all his time on food (16-20 hours a day).

A female giraffe can be recognized not only by her height (she is shorter and lighter than the male), but also by her feeding style. Males, as leaders, always reach for leaves that are taller than their height, while females are content with what grows at the level of their heads.

Not only does the giraffe’s neck, but also its muscular tongue help it get leaves from hard-to-reach branches of a tall tree. After all, a giraffe can stretch it to 45 cm.

Monkeys

These small, fragile, long-tailed monkeys live in all tropical forests. Their bright colors help the monkeys not to lose sight of their relatives while traveling in the treetops. They feed on a variety of fruits and leaves, do not neglect insects and lizards, and happily eat bird eggs and chicks. The female gives birth to only one cub, which she constantly carries with her, clutching it to her chest. Over time, the cub itself holds tightly to the mother’s fur during her desperate jumps. It feeds on milk for up to six months. Because of its bright and varied appearance different types The monkeys received appropriate names: green, mustachioed, white-nosed, etc.

Grant's Gazelle

This is a large group of animals that inhabit savannas, deserts, coastal plains, sand dunes and mountainous areas. They feed on grass and acacia leaves. The back of gazelles is sand-colored, so the animal seems to merge with the surrounding space and becomes invisible to predators. Males have significantly larger horns than females. During the dry season, they gather in herds and roam in search of a watering hole. They may not drink for a long time. Gazelle are unpretentious in their choice of food; they feed equally on grass, leaves and shoots of bushes, and often go to graze on millet and other crops. The number of some species is very small, as people hunt animals and simply destroy them.

wild dog

The African wild dog lives in the grasslands, savannas and open woodlands of eastern and southern Africa. The fur of this animal is short and colored in red, brown, black, yellow and white. Each individual has a unique coloring. Their ears are very large and rounded. Dogs have a short muzzle and have powerful jaws. This species is perfectly suited for chasing. Like greyhounds, they have a slender body and long legs. The bones of the lower front legs are fused together, which prevents them from twisting when running. In African wild dogs big ears, which help remove heat from the animal’s body. The short and wide muzzle has powerful muscles that allow it to grasp and hold prey. The multi-colored coat provides camouflage to the environment. The African wild dog is a predator and feeds on medium-sized antelopes, gazelles, and other herbivores. They do not compete with hyenas and jackals for food, as they do not eat carrion. Humans are considered their only enemies.

Rhinoceros

This huge pachyderm lives in both Africa and South and Southeast Asia. There are two species of rhinoceroses in Africa, distinct from the Asian ones. African rhinoceroses have two horns and are adapted to habitats characterized by large spaces with very few trees. The Asian rhinoceros has only one horn and prefers to live in forest thickets. These animals are on the verge of extinction because they are ruthlessly hunted by poachers for their horns, which are in high demand in some countries.

A female rhinoceros usually gives birth to one calf every two to four years. The baby stays with his mother for a long time, even when he grows up and becomes independent. Within an hour, a newborn calf can follow its mother on its own legs; moreover, it usually walks either in front of her or on the side. It feeds on mother's milk for a year, and during this time its weight increases from 50 to 300 kilograms. A rhinoceros's eyesight is poor; it sees only close up, like a nearsighted person. But he has the finest sense of smell and hearing; he can smell food or an enemy from afar. A rhinoceros horn can reach a length of 1.5 meters.

Flamingo

Large flocks of these beautiful birds live near bodies of water. They feed on small invertebrates. To do this, the bird lowers its head under the water and uses its beak to look for prey on the marshy bottom. The bird's tongue is like a piston that filters water through rows of horny plates located along the edges of the beak. The bird swallows small crustaceans and worms that remain in the mouth. It builds nests from silt and shells in the form of small towers about half a meter high. Lays 1–3 eggs. Parents feed the chicks by regurgitating semi-digested food. A flock of flying flamingos presents a striking, unforgettable sight - against the backdrop of the reddish-yellow seashore, its blue surface and pale blue sky, a chain of large pink birds stretches. Flamingo chicks are born sighted, with a straight beak, and covered with down. Their beak becomes bent only after 2 weeks.

Ostrich

The natural environment in which the ostrich lives determined the final adaptability of this bird, the largest of all: the ostrich's mass exceeds 130 kilograms. The long neck increases the ostrich's height to two meters. A flexible neck and excellent vision allow him to notice danger from afar from this height. Long legs give the ostrich the ability to run at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour, usually sufficient to escape from predators.

Ostriches do not live alone, but in groups of varying numbers. While the birds are looking for food, at least one stands guard and looks around the area to spot enemies, primarily cheetahs and lions. The ostrich's eyes are surrounded by long eyelashes, which protect them from both the African sun and dust raised by the wind.

Ostriches build a nest in a small depression, digging it in sandy soil and covering it with something soft. The female incubates the eggs during the day because her gray coloration blends well with her surroundings; the male, with predominantly black feathers, incubates at night.

Females lay from three to eight eggs in a common nest, and each of them takes turns incubating the eggs in turn. One egg weighs more than one and a half kilograms and has a very strong shell. Sometimes it takes a baby ostrich a whole day to break the shell and hatch from the egg.

The ostrich's beak is short, flat and very strong. It is not specialized for any special food, but serves to pluck grass and other vegetation and grab insects, small mammals and snakes.

Black Mamba

The black mamba is a highly venomous snake found in savannas, rocky and open forest areas of Africa. Snakes of this species grow about 4 m in length and can reach speeds of up to 20 km/h. The black mamba is not actually black, but rather brownish-gray, with a light belly and brownish scales on its back. It got its name because of the purple-black color of the inside of its mouth. Black mambas feed on small mammals and birds such as voles, rats, squirrels, mice, etc.

A snake can bite a large animal and release it. She will then chase her prey until she is paralyzed. The mamba bites smaller animals and holds them, waiting for the toxic venom to take effect. Black mambas are very nervous when a person approaches them and try to avoid it in any way. If this is not possible, the snake shows aggression by raising the front part of its body and opening its mouth wide. They quickly attack and inject their prey with their poison, and then crawl away. Before antivenoms were developed, a mamba bite was 100% fatal. However, to prevent death, the medicine should be administered immediately. They dont have natural enemies, and the main threat comes from habitat destruction.

Zebra

Zebra belongs to the equine family of the equid order of the equid class of mammals. These animals live in groups - herds. There is only one adult male in one herd. All other “participants” are females with cubs. The male is the leader and is the father of all foals. But it is not the male who leads the herd, but the oldest female. Her cubs follow her, and then the rest of the females with their foals.

Newborn “minke whales” begin to walk within 20 minutes after birth. And after 45 minutes they are jumping briskly and running after their mother. They reach maturity at 1-1.5 years. Young males at this age or a little later (up to 3 years) leave their herd, first ending up in bachelor groups or staying alone. They acquire their herd at the age of 5-6 years. Young females begin to bear offspring at the age of 2.5 years.

Like all herbivores, zebras flee from danger by running. The main thing is to see the enemy, the lion. Therefore, they willingly accept other animals into their society: antelopes, giraffes, gazelles and even ostriches. How more eyes, the greater the chance of noticing the danger and retreating in time.

Stripes that appeared in the process of evolution. probably also served as camouflage from predators: they make it more difficult to assess the outline of the body. According to another hypothesis, stripes appeared as a means of camouflage from horseflies and tsetse flies, which, as a result of such coloring, perceive the zebra as flashing white and black stripes. Each zebra has a unique set of stripes, like fingerprints, unique to each individual. Thanks to him, the foal remembers its mother. Therefore, after the baby is born, the zebra mother shields it with her body from other zebras for some time.

Oryx

Oryx (oryx) the size of a deer. It has straight or slightly curved long horns. It can go without water for weeks, making long journeys in search of favorable habitats. In the open areas where these antelopes live, it is difficult to hide, so predators can easily spot them.

Oryx lead a herd lifestyle. They graze early in the morning, in the evening and at night.
The long, beautiful, pointed horns of the white oryx are a coveted hunting trophy. At one time, these animals inhabited the entire Arabian Peninsula and Palestine; now there are only a few hundred of them.

Caracal

The caracal is a species of mammal from the cat family, widely distributed in the savannas of Africa. The body type is similar to a regular cat, but the caracal is larger and has larger ears. Its coat is short and the color varies from brown to reddish-gray, sometimes even becoming dark. His head is shaped like an inverted triangle. The ears are black on the outside and light on the inside, with tufts of black hair at the tips. They are active at night, mainly hunting small mammals such as rabbits and porcupines, but sometimes large animals such as sheep, young antelope or deer become their victims. They have special skills for catching birds. Their strong legs allow them to jump high enough to actually knock down flying birds with their large paws. The main threat to caracals is people.

Blue wildebeest

The blue wildebeest is one of the few antelopes that have survived in huge numbers in Africa to this day, and not only in protected areas national parks and reserves. In the Serengeti Park, for example, there are now more than 300,000 wildebeest, and 14,000 animals graze in the Ngoro Ngoro Crater (an area of ​​250 km2). On both sides of the highway that runs south from Nairobi to Na-manga and passes through unguarded areas, dozens or even hundreds of wildebeest are constantly visible.

The blue wildebeest is a fairly large animal; the height of adult males reaches 130-145 cm at the withers and weighs 250-270 kg. The general color tone of the short, smooth coat is bluish-gray, dark transverse stripes run along the sides of the animal, and the mane and tail are blackish. The blue wildebeest inhabits East and Southern Africa, almost never going north beyond the latitude of Lake Victoria. The wildebeest's favorite habitats are typical savannas and vast low-grass plains, sometimes flat, sometimes slightly hilly. However, it is by no means uncommon to find wildebeest among thickets of thorny bushes and in dry, sparse forests. Wildebeest feed on certain types of grasses. Therefore, in most places, wildebeest herds lead a nomadic lifestyle, migrating twice a year to where there has been rain and there are suitable food plants. Migrating wildebeest, stretching in regular, endless chains from horizon to horizon, or scattered in countless masses across the steppe, are an exciting and unique sight.

Leopard

Leopard is a species of predatory mammal of the cat family, one of four representatives of the panther genus, belonging to the subfamily big cats.

A large cat, however, is significantly smaller in size than a tiger and a lion. The body is elongated, muscular, somewhat laterally compressed, light and slender, very flexible, with a long tail (its length is more than half the total length of the body). The legs are relatively short but strong. The front legs are powerful and wide. The head is relatively small and rounded. The forehead is convex, the facial parts of the head are moderately elongated. The ears are small, rounded, and set wide apart.

The eyes are small, the pupil is round. There is no mane or elongated hair on the upper part of the neck and on the cheeks (sideburns). Vibrissae are represented by black, white and half-black and half-white elastic hair up to 110 mm long.

The size and weight of leopards depend on geographical area habitats and vary greatly. Individuals inhabiting forests are usually smaller and lighter, while those living in open areas, on the contrary, are larger than their forest counterparts. But on average, males are a third larger than females.

The leopard feeds mainly on ungulates: antelopes, deer, roe deer and others, and during periods of starvation - rodents, monkeys, birds, and reptiles. Sometimes attacks domestic animals (sheep, horses). Like a tiger, he often kidnaps dogs; Foxes and wolves suffer from it. It does not disdain carrion and steals prey from other predators, including other leopards.

Egyptian mongoose

The Egyptian mongoose is the largest of all mongooses in Africa. The animals are common in scrubland, rocky regions and small areas of savannah. Adults grow up to 60 cm in length (plus a 33-54 cm tail) and weigh 1.7-4 kg.

Egyptian mongooses have long fur that is typically gray with brown dots. They are primarily carnivores, but will also eat fruit if it is available in their habitat. Their typical diet consists of rodents, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and larvae. Egyptian mongooses also feed on the eggs of various animals. These fauna representatives can eat poisonous snakes. They hunt birds of prey and large carnivores of the savannah. Egyptian mongooses benefit the environment by killing animals (such as rats and snakes) that are considered pests to humans.

Warthog

In the appearance of the warthog, nature surprisingly mixed ugliness and charm. To say that he is unique is to say nothing. The legs are high, the tail is a tassel on a long thin cord, a disproportionately small, almost naked body the color of slate or clay and a huge head with a snout stretched in length and width, on the sides of which growths called “warts” and sickle-shaped fangs stick out. A disheveled black mane with bangs falling over his eyes and sparse white sideburns complete the portrait of the “monster.” It’s not for nothing that such a miracle was filmed in the prologue of the good old (not to be confused with fresh French ridicule!) film “One Million Years BC”. At the same time, there is some strange attractiveness in his appearance. Perhaps thanks to the amazing neck. When the animal is alarmed or frightened, the heavy head rises high up, and the neck allows it to be rotated to the sides by 40-50 degrees even while running, which other pigs are not able to do.

Compared to most of its ungulate neighbors, the warthog is small - on average 75 cm at the withers, however, with a weight of 50-150 kg, it cannot be called small. The body length is up to one and a half meters, the tail is up to 50 cm. Boars are noticeably larger than pigs, but their tails are shorter. But the fangs are longer. In old males they grow up to 60 cm and bend three-quarters of a circle. Another sexual difference is those same “warts,” skin growths that give the animal its name in all languages. Males have four of them - two on each side of the muzzle, with the upper ones extending up to 15 cm in height; in females there are only two and small ones. “Warts” have neither a nucleus nor a bone base, and one can only guess what their purpose is. Perhaps they serve as shock absorbers in ritual fights, but this is just one hypothesis.

a lion

There are many predators in the African savannas. Among them, the first place undoubtedly belongs to the lion. Lions usually live in groups - prides, which include both adult males and females, and growing youth. Responsibilities between the members of the pride are distributed very clearly: the lighter and more agile lionesses provide the pride with food, and the larger and stronger males are responsible for protecting the territory. The prey of lions includes zebras, wildebeest, and kongoni, but on occasion, lions willingly eat smaller animals and even carrion.

The Kaffir horned raven is the largest species of the hornbill family, one of two species included in the genus Hornbill. It lives in the African savanna, south of the equator.

A large bird, from 90 to 129 cm in length and weighing from 3.2 to 6.2 kg. It is distinguished by black plumage and bright red patches of skin on the front of the head and neck. In young birds these areas yellow color. The beak is black, straight, and has a helmet, which is more developed in males.

Inhabits open spaces with sparse bushes. The main range is southern Kenya, Burundi, southern Angola, northern Namibia, northern and eastern Botswana and northeastern and eastern South Africa. It nests in hollow stumps or hollows of baobab trees - the nest is not walled up, and the female leaves the nest daily to defecate and groom herself.

Horned crows spend most of their time on the ground, collecting food while walking slowly across the savannah. These birds are capable of eating almost any small animal that they can catch. Quickly grabbing prey from the ground, they throw it into the air to make it easier to swallow, and kill it with strong blows of their beak.

Horned crows hunt in groups of 2-8 birds (up to 11); they often pursue large prey together. They are the only hornbills that can pick up several food objects into their beaks without swallowing them and carry them to the nest. Sometimes they eat carrion, feasting on carrion-eating insects at the same time. They also eat fruits and seeds.

Nile crocodile

The Nile crocodile can grow up to five meters in length and is common in freshwater swamps, rivers, lakes and other watery places. These animals have long muzzles, which can capture fish and turtles. Body color is dark olive. They are considered the most intelligent reptiles on earth. Crocodiles eat almost anything in the water, including fish, turtles or birds. They even eat buffalo, antelope, big cats, and sometimes people when given the chance. Nile crocodiles skillfully camouflage themselves, leaving only their eyes and nostrils above the water. They also blend well with the color of the water, so for many animals that come to a pond to quench their thirst, these reptiles pose a mortal danger. This species is not endangered. They are not threatened by other animals except humans.

Guinea fowl

Guinea fowl (kanga, genefal) is a domesticated bird with an almost horizontal body covered with cream, gray-speckled, white or spotted blue plumage, a naked bluish head with a triangular horny “helmet” on the crown having a yellowish tint, and a red beak with two leathery “earrings” on the sides from the Guinea fowl family. Males of this species differ little from females: they only have a slightly higher growth on the head, the body is more vertical, and the cry is monosyllabic (in females it sounds like “chikele-chikele-chikele”).

The wild ancestor of agricultural birds, the helmeted guinea fowl and 6 other species of this family, are still found on the island of Madagascar and in Africa, south of the Sahara. The first attempts to keep this bird by humans were made long before our era, and this happened, as follows from the African epic, in its homeland in Guinea. There are also Egyptian references to domestic guinea fowl dating back to the 15th century BC. In antiquity, guinea fowl were bred in the Mediterranean for cult purposes - they were considered the sacred messengers of the goddess Artemis.

Guinea fowl also appeared in Europe over 2 thousand years ago, where they came from African state Numidia, but no information about this event has been preserved in history. Presumably, for a number of reasons, all the individuals and their offspring died and people forgot about the existence of exotic birds. The Portuguese discovered and brought guinea fowl to the European continent for the second time at the end of the 14th century. In Russia, they began to be bred in poultry farms in the 18th century and, for the excellent taste of the meat, the birds were nicknamed guinea fowl, because this word comes from the ancient Russian “tsar”.

Hyena

The fauna of Africa is rich and diverse. Among the African fauna, one can distinguish the spotted hyena. Of course, not everyone loves this type of animal. People personify hyenas with such qualities as bloodthirstiness, treachery, and insidiousness. In the famous Disney cartoon “The Lion King,” hyenas are presented as negative characters who only cause hostility. Indeed, a hyena can hardly be called attractive and graceful. However, this does not prevent her from developing a rapid speed while running - sixty-five kilometers per hour. And these animals feel very comfortable in their environment, thanks to their excellent hunting skills and ability to survive even in the harshest conditions.

Spotted hyenas are a collective animal. They live in clans. The highest steps of the hierarchy are occupied by females. Males occupy lower positions. Such a clan includes from ten to one hundred hyenas. Like many other animals, each clan is assigned a certain territory, which they defend from opponents and mark with feces. Communication between individuals is carried out using sounds. Many people have probably heard this unpleasant hum, reminiscent of laughter.

The diet of hyenas includes not only carrion; spotted predators are excellent hunters. They easily catch antelopes, hares, porcupines, as well as young giraffes, hippos and rhinoceroses.

Striped hyena. It can be found throughout North Africa, as well as in large parts of Asia: from Mediterranean Sea to the Bay of Bengal. In the wild, the striped hyena practically does not overlap with the spotted hyena.

Animals of the American Savannas

Jaguar

The jaguar is the third largest in the world and the largest representative of the cat family in the New World. The body length of a male jaguar is 120-185 cm, tail length is 45-75 cm, weight is 90-110 kg (females are smaller and weigh 60-80 kg). The jaguar's body is heavy and strong, and its limbs are short and powerful, which is why it looks squat and even clumsy. The disproportionately massive head of this predator is striking; its size is associated with the extraordinary power of its jaws, allowing it to easily gnaw even the hard shells of turtles. The color of the jaguar's coat, although spotted, like many other cats, is still unique: the spots are collected in so-called rosettes.

Jaguars prefer to live in places close to water - they are excellent swimmers and love water very much. Like other cats, they mark their territory with urine. Unlike many other members of the family, the jaguar is a true universal predator. A variety of animals can become its prey: capybaras, deer, peccaries, tapirs, fish, turtles and their eggs; it also attacks birds, monkeys, foxes, snakes, rodents and even alligators. This most dangerous predator in South America is able to cope with prey weighing up to 300 kg.

For a den, a female jaguar chooses a place among stones, in thickets of bushes or in tree hollows. After a 90-110 day pregnancy, she gives birth to two to four cubs. Their pattern contains more black than that of their parents, and it does not consist of rosettes, but of solid spots. Young jaguars spend six weeks in the den, and three months after their birth they already accompany their mother during the hunt. However, they are separated from it only at the age of two.

Ocelot

The ocelot is the third largest American cat after the jaguar and puma. This graceful predator lives in most of South America (Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, etc.) and Central America, up to the American states of Arizona and Arkansas. Throughout the entire range there is intraspecific variability, which is why 10 subspecies of ocelot are distinguished.

The name of the cat is translated from Latin as “like a leopard.” Indeed, there are some similarities between them, but to a greater extent the ocelot is similar to its closest relative - the margi cat. Its body is long (up to 1.3 meters), its legs are quite short and powerful. On an elongated neck rests a somewhat flattened head with rounded ears and large eyes.

The ocelot has one of the most beautiful colors of all cats. The background color of the fur is yellow-golden above and on the sides, white below. Scattered across the entire surface of the body are countless spots, stripes, stains and black dots, which together form an intricate pattern.

Despite the fact that the ocelot itself is a predator, it leads a very secretive lifestyle. This cat can only be found in dense tropical jungles and bushes, and never in open areas. Basically, the animal leads a terrestrial lifestyle, but if necessary, it climbs trees and rocks well, and also swims well.

Agouti

Agouti is a rodent from the tropical forests of Central and South America, similar to a large guinea pig. Its coarse fur is coated with an oily substance that acts as a protective cloak. On the back of the body, the coat is longer. Agoutis have five toes on their front feet and three on their back feet. Like many rodents, they walk gracefully on their toes rather than on their entire foot. Although difficult to see, the agouti does have a tail: it is very small, similar to a dark bean, glued to the back of the animal's body.

Maned wolf

The maned or maned wolf or guar, aguarachai, refers to predatory mammals, the canine family. In South America, the maned wolf is a large representative of the family with an unusual appearance that makes it look like a fox. The height of the wolf at the withers is 74-87 cm, body length is 125-130 cm, weight is 20-23 kg. Elongated muzzle short tail and high ears emphasize the external disproportion of the animal.

The long legs of the wolf are the result of evolution in matters of adaptation to the habitat; they help the animal to overcome obstacles in the form of tall grass growing on the plains.

The tall and soft hair of the wolf is yellowish-red in color, the tip of the tail and chin are light. There is a dark stripe from the head to approximately the middle of the back. The wolf's limbs are dark in color, and dark spots can also be found on the face. On the top of the neck and on the scruff of the neck long wool, which forms the mane. In an excited or aggressive state, the hair on the mane stands on end, which gives the animal a terrifying appearance.

Giant anteater

The name is associated with the favorite food of this animal - ants. It has an elongated snout that resembles a tube. This unique animal of South America is the largest of the order of edentates. The Giant Anteater is similar in size to the Golden Retriever, but its thick, bushy hair makes it appear more massive. The gray hairs of the anteater feel like straw and are especially long on the tail (up to 40 centimeters). It has a stripe of white, tan or gray that starts on the chest and extends to the middle of the back. Below this stripe is a dark collar. The hairy and bushy tail is often used as a blanket or umbrella. The giant anteater's elongated head and nose are excellent for catching ants and termites.

Puma

The puma is the largest representative of the cat family in the New World. Previously, it was classified in the same genus to which ordinary cats and lynxes belong. But, since the puma is not similar in appearance to either one or the other, it was separated into a separate genus, which includes a single species.

The puma's body is longer than that of other cats, its paws are strong, and its head is relatively small. It is characteristic that the puma has a very long and powerful tail, which acts as a balancer when jumping.

Her fur is thick, but very short. The puma is one of the few cats that does not have a distinct pattern. The overall tone of its coat is sandy, for which this animal is sometimes called a mountain lion, but unlike a lion, the puma’s nose is pink. Animals of this species are characterized by a variety of shades of skin: northern populations have a light yellow and even gray color, while southern populations are brown or bright red. The fur on the belly is whitish, while on the ears, on the contrary, it is black.

The puma's range extends from Rocky Mountains North America to Patagonia in South. Throughout its range, this predator inhabits a variety of landscapes: it can be found in mountains, lowland forests, tropical jungles and even swamps. This animal only avoids very open places. Like all cats, the puma leads a solitary lifestyle. She is secretive and rarely reveals her presence with her voice. Pumas are very flexible and dexterous cats: they climb trees perfectly and are capable of making huge leaps in length and height.

Armadillo

Armadillos have a really strange appearance. Although most armadillo species appear bald, they have hair on their sides and bellies (for example, the nine-banded armadillo). These animals have a shell that consists of stripes. The number of stripes depends on the type of animal. Although the stripes are as tough as fingernails, the shell is flexible, with softer skin that expands and contracts between the stripes. Armadillos also have long claws for digging and searching for food. Their favorite foods are termites and ants.

Vizcacha

One of the cutest representatives of the chinchilla family, viscacha, has an extremely interesting appearance. The appearance of the rodent simultaneously resembles the appearance of a kangaroo and a rabbit, which has a long squirrel tail.

Whiscacha belongs to the order of rodents and is characterized by a rather large size. Moreover, height and weight depend on the habitat of the animal. Thus, the body length of a male plain viscacha reaches 65-80 cm, and weight varies from 5 to 8 kg.

In this case, you should additionally take into account the length of the tail - at least 15 cm. Females weigh 3.5-5 kg, and the length of the body is 50-70 cm. The tail of females is also 2-3 cm shorter than that of males.

But mountain whiskey, or as it is also called, Peruvian whiskey, has slightly smaller dimensions. The rodent's body length is 30-40 cm. Weight does not exceed 1.5 kg.

The head of the viscacha is distinguished by its massiveness, fairly large ears and wide eyes. The forelimbs are short and weak, but the hind limbs are long and powerful.

The animal has rather short and soft to the touch gray-brown fur on its back. On the sides the color is paler, and on the belly the color becomes white. A peculiarity is the dependence of the color on the color of the soil where the rodent lives. The darker the tone of the soil, the richer the color of the animal’s fur.

Regardless of gender, the animal has white and black markings on its head. But differences between the sexes have still been identified - males are distinguished by a more massive structure and a clearly defined mask on the muzzle.

Nandu

The rhea ostrich lives in the vast expanses of South America, in the steppes of Brazil and Argentina. This bird has long powerful legs and develops higher speed. Its weight is about 30 kilograms, and its height can reach 130 centimeters. The plumage of the bird is inconspicuous, gray, and it is the same in both females and males. The head and neck appear bald. The small feathers on these areas of the body barely cover the bird's skin.

The plumage on the wings does not look lush, and on the tail there is none at all. The feet have three toes. The bird feeds on plant foods (fruits, plant seeds and grass), and only occasionally consumes animal food (invertebrates, worms, rodents). They live in small groups. The male has a harem of several females. During the breeding season, it digs a hole in the ground. This is the nest where the females will lay their eggs.

One such nest can contain up to 50 eggs. The male is an excellent father and family man - he incubates the eggs and protects the hatched chicks. Chicks are born sighted, feathered, able to move and get food from the first days of life. At the beginning of the 20th century, Rheas had a large population. Because of delicious meat, and rich eggs for birds, a real massive hunt began. And now they are on the verge of extinction. Today they can be seen on private farms and zoos. People are starting to correct their mistakes...

Tuco-tuco

These animals got their name because they communicate with each other using sounds such as “tuco-tuco-tuco.”

Outwardly, these animals very vaguely resemble bush rats. However, some distinctive features, such as small eyes located high on the head and ears almost hidden in the fur, indicate the leading lifestyle of this rodent underground.

In addition, morphological characteristics include a massive physique and a large head connected to a thick and short neck. The muzzle of the tuco-tuco has a somewhat flattened shape. These rodents have muscular and short limbs, with the forelimbs being slightly shorter than the hind limbs, but the powerful claws on the front paws are much more developed. The foot is covered with hard hairs similar to bristles. Due to the bristles, the foot grows larger, and in addition, when cleaning fur, the bristles act as a comb.

The weight of an adult can vary from 200 to 700 grams. These animals can grow up to 25 cm in length, and their tail up to 11 cm.

Rodents of this species very rarely come to the surface of the earth. Underground, usually in areas with loose or sandy soil, they complex system underground burrows that communicate with the central chamber of the nest. These rodents push the earth that appears while digging holes to the surface with their hind limbs. There are separate burrows for food supplies. Active life activity of tuco - tuco occurs in the evening hours and early morning.

Animals of the Australian savannah

Dragon of Komodo Island

The Komodo dragon is an amazing and truly unique animal, which is not without reason called a dragon. The largest living lizard spends most of its time hunting. It is an object of pride for the islanders and a constant source of interest for tourists. Our article will tell you about the life of this dangerous predator, features of its behavior and characteristics characteristic of the species.

These animals are indeed comparable in size. Most adult Komodo dragons reach 2.5 meters in length, while their weight barely exceeds half a centner. But among the giants there are record holders. There is reliable information about the Komodo dragon, whose length exceeded 3 meters and weight reached 150 kg. Only a specialist can visually distinguish a male from a female. Sexual dimorphism is practically not expressed, but male monitor lizards are usually slightly more massive. But any tourist arriving on the island for the first time can determine which of the two monitor lizards is older: young animals are always brighter in color.

Monitor lizards are diurnal and prefer to sleep at night. Like other cold-blooded animals, they are sensitive to temperature changes. Hunting time comes at dawn. Leading a solitary lifestyle, monitor lizards are not averse to joining forces while chasing game. It may seem that komodo dragons- clumsy fatties, but this is far from the case. These animals are unusually hardy, agile and strong. They are capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 km/h, and while they run, the earth, as they say, trembles. Dragons feel no less confident in the water: swimming to the neighboring island is not a problem for them. Sharp nails, strong muscles and a tail-balancer help these animals to climb trees and steep rocks perfectly.

Ostrich Emu

Emu is the fastest, largest, non-flying bird. Australia is located far from other continents. This has had a beneficial effect on the conservation of some animal species. These include the Australian ostrich. Amazing creation, the emblem of this country.

The emu was first mentioned at the end of the 16th century in the reports of European explorers. IN mid-17th century- he was seen on east coast continent. The origin of the name is not exactly known. There are consonant words in Portuguese and Arabic, the translation sounds like “big bird”. There is an assumption that the birds are named after the shrill cry of “E-m-uu”. Ornithologist John Latham first described them in Arthur Philip's Voyage to Botany Bay in 1789. At that time, there were six species of ostrich, but the first settlers from Europe mercilessly destroyed them for competing with sheep and cows for food.

Appearance Emu are relatives of ostriches and cassowaries. They reach a height of average human height and a body height of up to a meter. They have a dense body and a small head on a long neck. Round eyes framed by fluffy eyelashes and a pink beak with a slightly curved tip, no teeth. The wings are underdeveloped, like those of all non-flying ratite birds, up to 25 cm long. At the tips there is a growth like a claw. Strong legs that can easily break the bone of an adult. Soft brown feathers that aid in camouflage and regulate body temperature. Representatives of both sexes are equally colored.
Wombat

The wombat is a marsupial herbivore. This large animal, which looks like a bear cub, digs long tunnels, working quickly with short paws with strong claws. By digging up the ground like small bulldozers, wombats damage crops. Therefore farmers for a long time they were destroyed. Now wombats have become rare animals and are listed in the Red Book. Wombats live alone, they are secretive and cautious.

They go out in search of food, feeding on grass, bark and roots of plants. Like beavers, they are capable of felling trees, gnawing trunks with strong front teeth like their namesakes in South America, and feed on ants and termites using a long tongue. These animals do not have a brood pouch. The tiny, underdeveloped cubs that are born hide in the fur on the mother’s belly, holding onto her nipples. When the cubs are a little older, the mother takes them to the hole.

Ant-eater

Anteaters are close relatives of sloths and armadillos. In nature, there are giant, dwarf, tamandua and marsupial anteaters.

All these anteaters live in Central and South America, and the marsupial, numbat, lives in Australia.

The size of the anteater depends on the species to which the animal belongs. The largest is a two-meter, weighing 35 kg giant anteater, and the tiniest is pygmy anteater, having a length of less than 20 cm and weighing only 400 grams. The marsupial anteater, the nambat, has approximately the same parameters. Tamandua is larger than the dwarf one. Its body length reaches less than 60 cm, and its weight is about 5 kg.

All American anteaters are toothless, the front part of the head is elongated, and the fused jaws resemble a pipe. Distinctive feature All anteaters have the longest tongue among all terrestrial animals, reaching 60 cm, with the help of which the anteater obtains small insects, mainly termites. The marsupial anteater has teeth, but they are very small. This animal also uses its ten-centimeter tongue to extract termites, which it feeds exclusively on.

Echidna

Echidna vaguely resembles a hedgehog with a very large beak. It is distinguished by an awkward, flattened body, which is covered with fur mixed with sharp spines. The echidna has a cylindrical beak, no teeth at all, instead of them it has sharp horny needles. The tongue of this animal is long and worm-shaped; it extends far from the small mouth slit, like that of an anteater. The echidna has strong, short legs with large claws adapted for digging. The tail is very small and blunt.

When an echidna lays an egg, it carries it in a fold of leather (pouch) on its belly. The interesting thing is that after the cub grows up, the bag itself disappears. There are two types of echidnas. The first one is spiny echidna with five-toed feet and clawed toes. Typical representatives of this genus are the Australian, Papuan and Tasmanian echidnas. All these animals are no more than 50 centimeters in length and their fur is densely mixed with long thick needles.

Spiny echidnas live in mountainous dry forests. During the day they hide in burrows and at night they look for food. These animals dig the ground in search of worms, insects and ants. In case of danger, the echidna instantly curls up into a spiny ball. If you grab it, you can be seriously injured by the sharp needles. Indians often hunt echidnas and claim that fried echidna is a very tasty dish. In captivity, echidnas are very affectionate and not aggressive. They love to sleep and can sleep for 50-70 hours straight.

These are very strange animals. They live only in Australia and the islands adjacent to this continent. They are also called bird-animals because, on the one hand, they resemble animals, are covered with fur, feed their young with milk, have four legs, and on the other hand, lay eggs, just like birds. By the way, they do not have a nose, but a beak, like waterfowl.

Lizard Moloch

Moloch's habitat is the semi-deserts and deserts of the central and western regions of Australia. The body of the moloch is wide and flattened, reaching 22 centimeters in length.

It is abundantly covered with many short and curved horny spines, which take the form of horns above the eyes and above the pillow-like neck outgrowth. The head of the moloch, on the contrary, is small and quite narrow.

Brownish-yellow coloration covers the upper body of the moloch, it can also have reddish-brown shades with dark spots and a narrow yellowish stripe. An amazing feature of this animal is its ability to change its color. This can occur due to many factors, be it temperature, lighting or the physiological state of the body.

The peak of Moloch activity is during the daytime. Its method of movement is quite unusual: it slowly walks with outstretched legs and practically does not touch the ground with its tail. Being related to lizards, molochs, having found soft soil, dig holes. However, they can also completely submerge themselves in the sand to a relatively shallow depth, thereby imitating the behavior of some Asian and American lizards.

If the moloch is frightened, then its improvised horns become a means of defense. By bending his head down and exposing his horny outgrowths located on the back of his head, the moloch confronts his offenders. A fairly large growth on the back of the head imitates the so-called false head, thereby confusing the predator.

Dingo dog

Looking at a photo of a dingo dog, you can’t tell that it’s a wild dog. In addition, purebred dingoes cannot even bark, they just growl and howl.

There are many legends and versions about the origin of this species. Some believe that this dog was brought to Australia by immigrants from Asia. Others say that dingoes originated from the Chinese crested dogs. There is also a version that dingo dogs are descendants of the blood of Indian wolves and Pario dogs.

In appearance, this is an ordinary dog ​​with some characteristics of wild dogs. She has a wide head, erect ears and long fangs. These predators try to be nocturnal. They can be found in dry eucalyptus thickets or on the edges of forests. But dingoes can establish their home in a mountain cave, as long as there is water somewhere nearby.

These dogs can live in packs of more than 12 individuals. In such family communities there is a very strict hierarchy: the dominant place is occupied by the couple, which dominates all other members of the pack.

The dingo's diet includes food of both plant and animal origin. They hunt rabbits, small kangaroos, a variety of reptiles, fish, crabs, rats and birds. Sometimes they also eat carrion. It happens that dingoes encroach on the household: they steal chickens.

Opossum

Marsupials once lived all over the planet. These animals replaced more primitive oviparous animals from Olympus. After all, there used to be a land bridge between Australia and Asia, thanks to which animals and plants spread. As ocean levels changed and continents moved, this bridge disappeared. Several million years have passed, the once thriving order has almost completely disappeared, and only on the lost continent of Australia does marsupial life continue to flourish.

These isolated animals evolved, and among them predatory, herbivorous and insectivorous animals, jumping, climbing and running forms gradually emerged. They are found on plains and in forests, underground and in the mountains; there are semi-aquatic and gliding forms. Inhabiting the continent and the islands closest to it, they occupied almost all ecological niches their habitat, and basically they are not similar to each other either in appearance or size. The rat's marsupial relative is the kangaroo rat, native to Australia and New Guinea. It belongs to the marsupial family of mammals. In total, four genera of these marsupial rodents have been identified.

So, the first genus of these marsupials is large rats with bluish-gray fur and a tassel at the very tip of the tail. This marsupial rat got its name precisely thanks to this brush (brush-tailed rats). This genus includes the tafa (tree rat), a predator that cannot be tamed, as well as the small marsupial rat, which is a very rare animal that is protected.

The tafa or greater marsupial rat is a rodent about the size of the carnivorous arboreal marsupial Dasyuridae. It is distinguished by a tuft of silky black hair on its tail. Males of this species do not live long, their age reaches only one year, since they die after breeding.

The comb-tailed marsupial rat is an animal with legs that do not have thumb. This is the genus marsupial mammals, whose bag is practically absent. There is 1 species in the genus, whose name is similar to the name of the entire genus. These animals are considered relatives of comb-tailed mice and have great similarities with them.

Marsupial mole

The Australian continent is inhabited by many species of animals that are found nowhere else in the world. One of the representatives of this kind of fauna is marsupial moles.

These animals, well known to the Australian aborigines, became known to science only in 1888, when one of their representatives was found sleeping under a bush by one of the migrant farmers from Europe. Despite the fact that marsupial moles are very similar to golden moles living in Africa, these two species of animals belong to completely different systematic groups.

Marsupial moles are mammals. There are two types: Notoryctes typhops and Notoryctes caurinus. The difference between them is only in size and some details of the body structure. Marsupial moles are very different from other types of marsupial animals, and for this reason, zoologists have identified them as a special family.

The body of marsupial moles is oblong, resembling a roller, and has a length of 15 to 18 centimeters. The weight of these animals ranges from 40 to 70 grams. Marsupial moles dig the soil with their front paws, which have powerful triangular claws. Their hind limbs are adapted for throwing sand to the side. The body of these representatives of the Australian fauna is covered with thick and beautiful hair, the color of which can vary from snow-white to brown.

The head of a marsupial mole has the shape of an elongated cone, at the end of which there is a nose, covered with a kind of shield, with the help of which the animal quickly pushes the sand apart.

Kangaroo

The red kangaroo lives throughout almost all of Australia. It has a 3-meter body length (of which the tail is about 90 cm long), and weighs up to 90 kg. Females are smaller than males, and their weight is 30 kg. The animal has a powerful body, strong muscular hind legs, and a strong and thick tail. Thin but very grasping front legs, which are much shorter than the hind legs.

The front paws have five toes, the hind paws have four with very sharp long claws. The head is small and elongated towards the nose, with attentive eyes, with large ears that hear everything well. The color is brown-red or smoky blue, the paws and tail are almost white, and the belly is lighter than the main tone.

They feed on plant foods: grass, leaves, fruits and grains. They are well adapted to drought conditions and can go many days without water. To escape the wild heat, kangaroos often breathe with their mouths open and try to move less.

They lick their paws, which also cools the body. It was noticed by observers that during a long drought, they dig small holes in the sand where they hide from the scorching sun. During the day they hide in the shadows and doze, and at dusk they go out to pastures.

The red kangaroo is a cautious and timid animal. In case of danger, it runs away at speeds of up to 50 km/h. But he cannot maintain a high pace for long and gets tired quickly. He jumps 10 meters in length, and can even set a record - 12 meters.

The rhinoceros can be called one of the largest equids on earth. Its population used to be more numerous, but today only five varieties remain. Three of them live in Asia, and two live in Africa.

Black look

As a rule, where does a rhinoceros live? In the savanna of the African expanses, this animal is found quite often. There are many black individuals here in the east, south and center. There used to be much more of them, before Europeans invaded the continent and began extermination.

In the 20th century, this species numbered 13.5 thousand heads. Since then, the situation has only worsened, and the population has decreased to 3.5 thousand. They are also found in South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and some other countries.

Protected areas have been created where rhinoceroses live in relative safety from poaching, which mainly flourishes in the west. The situation there is unstable, so it is quite difficult to count the number of animals. Statistics must be constantly updated. In protected areas there is a good birth rate and positive indicators, while in the west one of the subspecies has become completely extinct.

White individuals

Where does the white rhinoceros live? In the same Africa. Its images can be found in elements of rock paintings, which suggests that this species has been here for a very long time.

Europeans met the animal in 1857 in the south of the continent. An active hunt began for it, as a result of which only a few individuals remained after 35 years. Miraculously, this animal survived; it was discovered in 1892 in places where people had not previously penetrated near the river. Umfolozi.

Since 1897, the places where rhinoceroses live began to be protected. In 2010, a statistical report was compiled, according to which 20 thousand individuals remained. Mainly, the species is stable and even shows some growth in the south, although there was a moment when the population dropped from 2,500 (as of 1960) to 5 representatives in 2014. So the threat of extinction inexorably hangs over the species. The places where rhinoceroses live require protection. A photo may be the only way we will be able to see them in the near future if we don't take proper care.

In Asia

Of course, this beautiful animal is not only found in Africa. Investigating the question of which country, we learn that they are also found in the south and southeast of Asia. I especially liked Indian species for yourself the Hindu Kush Mountains. Once upon a time, these animals were quite typical inhabitants of Iran, as well as China; their remains were found in Yakutia.

Studying history, we can conclude that all the troubles of these animals came from the Europeans, who at one time arrived in Asia and began to cut down the jungle. The population grew, so that wildlife became crowded. Firearms were used to hunt in places where rhinoceroses live. Now, as in Africa, these animals can only be found in places that are carefully protected.

Nowadays, the main habitat of the Indian type is Bangladesh, Nepal, many of it can be found in Pakistan, as well as the Sindh province in India. There are many of them in nature reserves and parks national importance. In Pakistan and Bangladesh, you can still find a small number of individuals living freely in places where people rarely go.

Kaziranga, a national park in India where there are 1,600 of these rhinoceroses, is working to preserve the population. The Nepalese Chitwan Nature Reserve also shows good indicators, where there are 600 of them. In Pakistan there is the Lal-Suhantra nature conservation complex, where there are 300 of them.

Sumatran rhinoceros

There is also a Sumatran variety of this animal, which was also widespread in Asia. One could meet its representatives in India, China, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, etc.

As a rule, the places where rhinoceroses live are swamps and forests in the tropics. Now they can be found only on a few islands, the number is 275 individuals. This type was included in the Red Book because it is on the verge of extinction.

Last Hero

Also found in nature is the Javan rhinoceros, the least abundant of which in the world. It used to flourish and could be found in southeast and southern Asia, particularly India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, as well as Malacca, Sumatra and Java. IN this moment the situation is dire as there are only 30-60 individuals left living in Indonesia and Java. In other places the species became extinct in the last century. They tried to keep him in a zoo, however, the idea did not justify itself, since the last representative of this type living in captivity died in 2008.

The problem of rhino extinction is quite pressing. Efforts are being made to resolve it. In the centuries preceding our time, these animals were treated somewhat disrespectfully, they were exterminated for selfish purposes, but nature is also patient up to a certain point, so many species simply could not withstand the pressure of humans.

Now environmental organizations are trying to restore the lost fragile balance. In many medical practices, peace and quiet is often prescribed to the patient. Rhino extinction can be called a disease that can be treated by giving the animal calm conditions existence.

Goals: introduce children to the flora and fauna of savannas and tropical forests; introduce children to the characteristics of each animal and plant.

Objectives: expand the horizons of students; develop logical thinking, imagination, monologue speech, voluntary attention, memory; cultivate a love of nature; bring up careful attitude to plants and animals.

Lesson type: learning new material.

Equipment: textbook by A.A. Pleshakov “The world around us”, workbook for the textbook, multimedia presentation, handouts (coloring book “Elephant”), animal masks, cards “Savannah”, “Tropical Forest”, phonogram recording the sounds of wildlife, reproductions of pictures of the Russian forest.

I. Organizational moment.

(Sounds of wildlife are included)

Guys, where do you think we ended up in today's lesson? You and I found ourselves in a forest, but not in an ordinary forest, but in a forest that is located in hot countries.

Which continent do you think is always hot? (Africa) – but it’s hot, guys, not only in Africa. And these hot countries have their own forests.

What is a forest?

(Showing illustrations of the Russian forest). Look carefully at the board - here you see reproductions of paintings by the Russian artist Shishkin. Tell us what plants you met in the forest, what animals.

II. Learning new material.

There are forests in Africa too, but they are called savannah and tropical forest.

(on the board Savannah Rainforest)

Now we will get acquainted with the savannah

The name “Savannah” comes from the Spanish word “sabana”, which means “wild flat place”.

There are a lot of different trees and shrubs in the savanna. All trees and shrubs in the savannah are entangled with vines. In the savannah there are periods when it rains constantly, and there are periods when it does not rain. Here we can find herbs that will be as tall as a person!

And now you and I will find ourselves in the same savannah. We will be quiet so as not to scare away the animals. Listen carefully to the sounds you hear.

Slide 3 (the sounds of the savannah are heard).

What animals and birds did we hear? Let's get to know some of the animals in this forest.

The yellow-billed toko, which lives in the savannahs of Africa, is a hornbill, one of the most interesting bird species. Hornbills are notable for their huge beaks. Although hornbills feed primarily on fruits, they are omnivores.

Who is this? (Rhinoceros). Let's listen to him. What sounds does it make (the cry of a rhinoceros). Now they will tell us about this wonderful animal (speech by a trained student).

In the African savannas there lives such an animal as the rhinoceros. This is one of the largest animals. The rhinoceros eats grass and leaves from trees. Rhinos are very dangerous. They easily become angry and can catch up with the offender. The famous horn of the rhinoceros is the reason that they are hunted a lot.

Who is this, guys? (Leopard).

Let's listen to him (leopard roar): The leopard is very widespread - throughout Africa. This is a ferocious predator. Although he is inferior to the lion and tiger in strength, he surpasses them in agility, allowing him to easily climb tall trees or steep rocks. Leopards hunt mainly medium-sized animals - wild boars, monkeys, deer, antelopes. Due to their beautiful yellow skin with dark spots, leopards have been severely exterminated everywhere and are currently included in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Well known to all of us? (African elephant). Let's listen to him trumpet (the sound of an elephant).

The African elephant is the largest living land animal, can reach a height of up to 4 m. The huge curved tusks of old males reach more than 3.5 m. A huge number of elephants were exterminated by ivory hunters. And since an adult elephant eats about 300 kg of branches per day , fruits and grass, for life these giants require large free territories, of which there are almost none left in Africa.

The giraffe is an inhabitant of African savannas. The seemingly surprising appearance of the giraffe (a relatively short body with enormous growth is nevertheless completely justified. Giraffes feed on plant food, which they get mainly from a height. To drink water, the giraffe has to spread its front legs wide apart.

Now he will tell us about the lion... (speech by a trained student): Leo is usually called the “king of beasts.” During the day, lions rest, stretching out in the grass or lying on a low tree, but they hunt in the evening. Common prey for lions are zebras and antelopes. There are known cases of lions attacking people.

Exercise for the eyes

And who is this prankster? Let's listen to her (monkey cry): Monkeys are quite large. They run well on all fours; when frightened or excited, they stand on their hind legs, leaning on their tail as a third leg. When in danger, they continuously jump from place to place. They eat everything they can find - grass, fruits, seeds, insects, birds and their eggs, honey.

Who is this striped horse? Let's listen to her (zebra sound): Wild striped horses - zebras - live only in Africa. Large, horse-sized, savannah zebra. All zebras have a courageous character and, if necessary, can stand up for themselves, so, as a rule, old and sick animals become victims of predators. It is very difficult to tame these animals.

Who is this, guys? Describe the ostrich. What feature does it have?

What kind of savannah resident is this? Let's listen (sound of a hippopotamus).

And he will tell us a poem about a hippopotamus... (student speech).

Hippopotamus, hippopotamus,
He has a huge mouth
He's been chewing something all day
Apparently, it was not in vain.
He is famous in the area.
Everyone will say: “It’s a shame
Hippopotamus appetite
You don’t know beautiful!”
Who's just visiting?
Would he risk inviting you?

What kind of toothy resident is this? Let's listen to him (crocodile sound). And he will tell us about the crocodile... (student speech).

I am a huge crocodile
He defeated everyone in the area!
But don't be so afraid
After all, I also love to laugh.

This monkey is called “baboon”. Let's listen to him (baboon sound).

A baboon is a monkey from the genus of baboons. Baboons live in savanna forests and savannahs. Although baboons are land animals, they spend more time in trees than other baboons. These are omnivores. The head of their family is the male.

Guys, this unusual bird also has an unusual name.

Who is a “secretary”?

The secretary bird is a tall, sometimes more than a meter, long-legged bird that lives in the African savannas. The secretary got its name from the tuft of feathers on its head, which usually hangs like a feather behind a scribe’s ear, and when the bird is excited, it rises upward. The secretary spends most of his time walking on the ground and looking for prey: lizards, snakes, small animals, locusts.

Fizminutka

Show how a giraffe, zebra, crocodile, elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, lion, monkey walk.

Slide 17.

And now we will talk about another type of forest - tropical forest. One of these forests is located on the island of Madagascar. Surely you have watched a cartoon with that name. Let's remember what plants and animals were found there?

We go from the savannah to this tropical forest. Listen carefully. Who will you hear?

Slide 18 (sounds of the rainforest).

Who did we hear? What else did you hear? (Rain). That's right, guys - the rainforest is also known for the fact that it often rains.

Ferns grow in the tropics - there are quite a lot of them in the forest.

Let's get acquainted with some animals of the tropical forest. Since this forest is also hot, the animals will be the same as in the savannah.

Slides 20 to 27.

And now our guys will tell you poems about animals of the savannah and tropical forest.

1. Hippopotamus in a muddy puddle
No resort is needed.
He can swim in mud.
The mud softens his skin,
Replaces cream and ointment.
Wonderful mud!

2. Brave, slim and strong
Lion lives in the desert,
Leo has a big head
And a very scary mouth.

He can bare his claws
And growl menacingly,
And no way for small children
You can't play with Leo

3. Large horn - a rhinoceros,
A grizzly bear has paws.
I'll grow up a little too -
There will be tusks like dad's.

Physical exercise to music

Tilts left - right, forward - back, arms up - to the sides - forward - down.

III. Consolidation of the studied material.

So let's answer the curious giraffe's question - where do elephants live? Let's check - have we named the animals of the savannah and tropical forest correctly? (Textbook pp. 10-11)

What animals haven't been named yet?

IV. Lesson summary.

Where did we go in today's lesson?

Why is savanna called that?

What animals live in the savanna? What are they like in the tropical forest?

Since our main character today was an elephant - for good work in class, he gives everyone his photograph (presentation of coloring books).

There are ten on Earth natural areas. One of them is the African savanna. Today we will introduce you to this region and its inhabitants.

Description of the savannah

Tropical savannas have two seasons: winter and summer. They are not accompanied by sudden changes in temperature and do not have seasonal differences associated with this. These are areas located in a warm or hot climate zone. The average air temperature ranges from +18 to +32 degrees. It increases very smoothly.

Winter

This is the so-called "dry season" in tropical savannah. It lasts from November to April. During this period, the savannah zone receives very little rainfall. From December to February there may be absolutely no rain. This is the coolest time of the year, when the air temperature does not rise above +21 degrees. Thunderstorms begin in October. They are accompanied by strong winds that dry out the air. During the dry season, fires are common in savannas.

Summer

IN rainy season celebrated in savannas high humidity. Tropical showers begin in May or early June. From May to October, the area receives between 10 and 30 mm of rainfall. During the rainy season, the African savannah blossoms: dense forests grow rapidly, picturesque meadows bloom. Savannah animals actively reproduce, and during this period the mother's milk of females is saturated with useful substances due to the variety of herbs in the diet.

Wildlife of the savannah

We can immediately say that this is a unique world that does not exist anywhere else on Earth. Primarily due to the variety of large and very large animals. Before the advent of white colonialists, the animals of Africa felt free and at ease. Savannas provided food for countless herds of herbivores that moved from place to place in search of water. They were accompanied by numerous predators, and carrion eaters (jackals and vultures) moved behind them.

Later the situation changed radically. Plowing large areas land, steppe fires, road construction, and industrial cattle breeding have put wild animals in distress. The situation was saved by the creation of nature reserves in which hunting and any economic activity. Thanks to the animals, the savannah has a characteristic, incomparable appearance. In this article we will look at the most typical wild animals of the savannah. The list may not be complete, since the fauna of these areas is very diverse.

Giraffe

These are amazing animals of Africa. It is impossible to imagine Savannah without these majestic beauties. Even children know their graceful gait and surprisingly long neck. Not everyone knows that the “name” of the giraffe translated from Latin means “camel-leopard”. Perhaps those who first met this handsome man decided that he was a cross between these animals. In addition to a long neck, the giraffe also has a very long tongue (up to 45 cm).

These giants are herbivores. They feed on tree leaves. Thanks to tall they can reach young and succulent foliage. It is not very convenient for a giraffe to drink: you have to bend your legs. The long neck of this giant, like all mammals, has 7 vertebrae.

Elephants

When talking about what animals live in the savannah, one cannot fail to mention the steppe, or African elephants. They have powerful tusks and wide ears, unlike their Indian counterparts. Plus, they are much larger. These giants live in groups, each of which is led by a large female elephant.

Because of the value of their tusks, these huge animals were brought to the brink of extinction in the last century, and the threat remained until their destruction was banned. Nature reserves have played a huge role in protecting elephants.

Lions

The main predator of the savannah, the king of beasts well known to all of us, is a beautiful and formidable lion. He poses a danger to almost all inhabitants of the places where he lives.

These predators prefer to live in prides (groups). They usually include adult females and males, as well as their offspring. In a pride, responsibilities are very clearly distributed: lionesses get food, and males protect the territory of the “family.”

Hyenas

The fauna of the savannah is very interesting. Take, for example, the relationship between lions and other predators, for example, the spotted hyena. More recently, it was believed that the hyena is a cowardly animal that is not capable of hunting, and therefore it eats leftovers after the meal of the “king of beasts.”

Cheetahs

The savannah zone of Africa is a diverse world where a wide variety of animals live nearby. For example, the record holder for long-distance speed running is a graceful and at the same time incredibly powerful cheetah. This adorable “cat” is the fastest animal on Earth.

It is capable of reaching incredible speeds in pursuit of prey (110 km/h). This is explained by a special running technique: the animal rests on two legs. This predator is amazingly strong and fantastically fast. These qualities allow him to easily obtain food for himself: antelopes or zebras.

Leopards

Savannah animals are very different. Leopard is another predator from the cat family. This incredibly beautiful animal has a flexible, strong and at the same time very slender body. Thanks to its powerful limbs, it quickly overtakes its prey. Its strong body is covered with thick, but not fluffy, fur, which has a characteristic color: black spots on a light yellow background. This is excellent camouflage, making the leopard invisible among the grass and branches.

The leopard is naturally endowed with excellent vision, excellent hearing, and a keen sense of smell. He easily climbs tall trees and even prefers to take a nap there during the day, sitting comfortably on the branches. More often, the leopard hunts at night: it sneaks up on its prey so silently that not a single leaf crunches under its powerful body. And then a rapid rush follows - and the antelope, monkey or zebra has no chance to survive. The leopard drags the remains of its meal up a tree and hides it securely among the branches so that jackals or hyenas do not get it.

A leopard, regardless of its gender, has its own hunting territory. It is better for an uninvited guest not to enter it: he will face serious punishment. Leopards live more comfortably alone.

Zebras

Another animal that lives in the African savannah is the cute striped zebra horse. Many people wonder why she needs such a bright color? Savannah animals have hair of certain colors not only to recognize each other from afar. Mainly it helps to deceive the attacking enemy. Let's say a zebra is attacked by a lion. Alone, she is clearly visible to a predator. What if she rushes to her herd? When there is a large concentration of animals, all the stripes merge, causing ripples in the eyes of the predator... Hunting becomes more difficult.

Striped horses eat grass. However, the life of savannah animals is not easy, and in search of watering places and pastures, they travel long distances across the hot savannah. Antelopes, giraffes, and ostriches often graze next to zebras. Such a large company helps to escape from enemies. Despite its harmless appearance, the zebra knows how to stand up for itself. She strives to strike the enemy with her forelimbs with hard hooves; a herd of these cute animals can even repel the attack of a lion. Zebras usually live in small herds; they gather into large herds only before a long journey. At the head of such a herd is an experienced and strong leader. Zebras are monogamous: they build their families once and for life.

The foal recognizes its mother by the stripe pattern. Interestingly, it never repeats itself. And so that the baby remembers his mother, she does not let anyone near him for several days after birth. When the cub grows a little, it is protected by all the zebras in the herd.

Rhinoceros

Savannah animals can be proud that they live next to the largest land animal (after the elephant). This is a rhinoceros. Its weight reaches 2.2 tons, length - 3.15 m, height - 160 cm. Its name is not accidental. There really is a horn growing on his nose, huge and very sharp. Moreover, some individuals have two of them: one is very large, the other is slightly smaller. They are formed from hard, compressed hair. However, this is a very dangerous weapon.

These giants love water, swamps, and even more pleasure is given to them by mud, in which they can wallow to their heart's content during the rainy season. This way they escape the heat. The thick skin of a rhinoceros gathers into folds. He resembles an ancient knight dressed in armor. Birds can often be seen on its back. The giant is not against these guests, since they are his assistants. Birds clean the skin of rhinoceroses from various insects and ticks.

Rhinoceroses see poorly, but hear very well. Their sense of smell is even better developed. They find a familiar path to the lake by smell. Each rhinoceros has its own path. These huge animals feed on leaves, grass, and fruits fallen from trees. Having had enough, the rhinoceros goes to bed. He falls asleep so soundly that at this time you can get quite close to him. But if he suddenly wakes up, it’s better not to catch his eye: he’s quick-tempered and really doesn’t like being disturbed from resting.

Most often, rhinoceroses live in all alone. The exception is the African white rhinoceros, which grazes in small groups. The mother rhinoceros feeds her offspring (usually one cub) with milk for a year. Currently, the number of rhinoceroses has decreased significantly. Fortunately, they can still be seen in zoos.

Buffalo

This is a very dangerous African animal. Sensing danger, he immediately attacks his opponent and kills him with his powerful horns. Even the lion tries to avoid meeting him because he is not sure of the outcome of the battle. The herds of these animals are very large, sometimes numbering more than a hundred animals.

Antelope

This animal has a very unusual appearance. A large and heavy head with curved horns, and a shaggy thick mane on the neck. The tousled fur on the face resembles a beard. With a massive body, the legs with sharp hooves are quite slender, reminiscent of a horse. The color of the antelope's coat is grayish-blue, only the mane and tail are dark. These animals make abrupt sounds similar to grunting. The antelope lives only in Africa. In the vast expanses of savannas they graze in huge herds. The antelope feeds on certain varieties of grass.

Antelopes travel vast distances in search of water and food. They go to areas where it has already rained. Having reached the water, they rest for a long time.

Antelopes often become prey for lions, leopards and hyenas. However, you should not think that antelopes are so harmless. They can stand up for themselves. The animals, frightened by the predator, launch into a fast gallop, kick their hind legs, and thrust their sharp horns forward threateningly.

With the arrival of spring, tournaments take place between male antelopes. This usually happens on the knees. The males rest their heads and try to knock the enemy onto his side. The strongest wins the fight.

When an antelope has a baby, the adult antelopes of the herd decorously go to meet it. Their attention sometimes turns out to be excessive, so the mother is forced to drive away her fellow tribesmen.

The rhinoceros is one of the iconic animals of Africa, a kind of calling card of the “dark continent”; it is not for nothing that it is one of the “big African five” along with the buffalo, lion and leopard, the same five animals that in the old days were the most honorable trophies of hunting safari. The rhinoceros also has rather poor eyesight, but as they say, given his size and power, this is no longer his problem.

Rhinoceros: description, structure, characteristics. What does a rhinoceros look like?

The Latin name of the rhinoceros - Rhinocerotidae, is essentially identical to ours, since “Rhino” means “nose”, and “ceros” is a horn, resulting in “rhinoceros”, this name very aptly characterizes this animal, because the large horn on the nose, growing from The nasal bone is an integral attribute of all decent rhinoceroses (however, not decent ones either).

And also the rhinoceros, the largest land mammal after the elephant - the length of the rhinoceros is from 2 to 5 meters, with a height of 1-3 meters and a weight of 1 to 3.6 tons.

The colors of rhinoceroses depend on their species; at first glance, it seems that the names of rhinoceros species actually come from their colors: white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros. But here not everything is so obvious and unambiguous, the fact is that the real skin color of both white and black rhinoceros is the same - gray-brown, but due to the fact that these rhinoceroses like to wallow in the ground of different colors, which colors them different colors, and so did their names.

The head of a rhinoceros is long and narrow, with a steeply sloping forehead. Between the nasal bones and the forehead there is a concavity, somewhat similar to a saddle. The small eyes of a rhinoceros with brown or black pupils with their size look very contrasting against their background big head. As we already mentioned at the beginning, rhinoceroses’ eyesight is not important; they are only able to see moving objects from a distance of no more than 30 meters. In addition, the fact that their eyes are located on the sides does not give them the opportunity to properly examine this or that object; they see it first with one eye, then with the other.

But rhinoceroses’ sense of smell, on the contrary, is well developed, and it is on this that they rely most. Interestingly, the volume of the nasal cavity in rhinoceroses is larger than the volume of their brain. The hearing of these giants is also well developed; the ears of rhinoceroses are like tubes that constantly rotate, picking up even faint sounds.

The lips of rhinoceroses are straight and awkward, with the exception of the Indian and black rhinoceroses, which have mobile lower lip. Also, all rhinoceroses have 7 molars in their dental system, which wear out greatly with age; in addition to teeth, Asian rhinoceroses have incisors, which are absent in African rhinoceroses.

All rhinoceroses have thick skin, which is almost completely devoid of hair. The exception here is the modern Sumatran rhinoceros, whose skin is still covered with brown hair, and the woolly rhinoceros that once lived in our latitudes, which, together with the same woolly mammoth, unfortunately, has not survived to this day.

The legs of a rhinoceros are heavy and massive, each foot has three hooves, as a result of which it is very easy to recognize by the rhinoceros's tracks where these giants walked.

Rhino horn

The rhinoceros horn is his calling card and should be mentioned separately. So, depending on the species, a rhinoceros can have either one or two horns on its nose, with the second horn located closer to the head being smaller. Rhinoceros horns are made of the protein kerotin, by the way, human hair and nails, porcupine quills, bird feathers and armadillo shells are made of the same protein. Horns develop from the epidermis of rhinoceros skin.

When wounded, young rhinos recover their horns, but older rhinos no longer have horns. In general, all the functions of the rhinoceros horn have not yet been fully studied by zoologists, but for example, scientists have noticed such a curious fact - if the horn of a female rhinoceros is removed, she will cease to be interested in her offspring.

The owner of the longest horn is the white rhinoceros; it reaches 158 cm in length.

Where does the rhinoceros live?

Nowadays, from the once large family of rhinoceroses, only 5 species have survived, 3 of them live in Southeast Asia, these are the Indian rhinoceros, the Sumatran rhinoceros and the Javan rhinoceros, and 2 species live in Africa, these are the black and white rhinoceroses. Below we will describe each type in more detail.

How long does a rhinoceros live?

The life expectancy of rhinoceroses is very long, for example, African rhinoceroses in the wild live on average 30-40 years, and in zoos they live up to 50 years. But the longest-living rhinos are the Indian and Javan rhinos, which can live up to 70 years, almost the same as a human lifespan.

Rhino lifestyle

All rhinoceroses live alone, without creating herds. The exception is white rhinoceroses, which form small herds consisting of a female and cubs. Male and female rhinoceroses gather together only during mating. Despite such a peculiar solitary lifestyle, rhinoceroses also have friends among other representatives of the animal world, so voloklyi, small birds, constantly accompany rhinoceroses, pecking insects and insects from their skin, and at the same time, with their cry, bringing them closer to possible danger. It is not for nothing that in Swahili the name of these birds “wa kifaru” sounds like the protector of rhinoceroses.

Each rhinoceros has its own territory - a piece of pasture and a pond, which is its personal “land”; it jealously guards its territory. Rhinoceroses mark the boundaries of their “domains” with heaps of dung, which also serve them as a kind of “aromatic” landmark, allowing them to navigate in space and remain within the boundaries of their “land.”

Rhinoceroses are especially active, early in the morning and in the evening twilight, at this time they actively feed to get enough, which, given their big sizes not always an easy task. But day and night, rhinoceroses, as a rule, sleep on their stomachs or lying on their sides, or take their much-loved “mud baths.” Rhinoceroses sleep very soundly and they say that at this time you can easily sneak up on them and even grab them by the tail (but we still highly recommend that you do not do this))).

Rhinoceroses are cautious animals, therefore, including from us, people, they try to stay away, but when they sense danger, they always attack first, and they attack very fiercely. That is why, when meeting a rhinoceros, you need to behave extremely carefully and delicately; an angry rhinoceros can run at a speed of 40-45 km per hour, and nothing can stop such a running carcass; for example, it can quite easily ram and even turn over a light one.

What does a rhinoceros eat?

Rhinoceroses are herbivores, however, they are very voracious, so on average a rhinoceros eats up to 72 kg plant food in a day. The main food of rhinoceroses is grass and fallen leaves from trees. Black and Indian rhinoceroses are not averse to eating shoots of trees and bushes. Sugar cane is the Indian rhinoceros's favorite food, while the Sumatran rhinoceros is very fond of various fruits, especially figs and mangoes.

Enemies of the Rhino

The main enemy of rhinoceroses is, of course, man, who in the old days mercilessly exterminated these animals, including for the sake of their famous horns, which are believed to have different healing properties. Before they were exterminated to the point that now all 5 species of rhinoceroses are listed in, since due to their low numbers they are on the verge of extinction.

In natural conditions, other animals, given the size and cautiously suspicious disposition of rhinoceroses, try to avoid them. But baby rhinos may well be hunted by different predators: lions, crocodiles. But they cannot cope with an adult large rhinoceros, which has thick skin and a sharp large horn.

Well, the time has come to describe in more detail the 5 species of these horned giants that exist in nature.

White rhinoceros

This is the largest rhinoceros in the world, and, oddly enough, the least aggressive among rhinoceroses. Its body length is 5 m, height 2-3 m with a weight of 2-3 tons, although there are also heavy white rhinoceroses weighing 4-5 tons. This rhinoceros also has two horns, the main horn is the largest in the rhinoceros family, and in addition to it, there is another smaller horn closer to the head. The white rhinoceros lives in the Eastern and South Africa, in countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Botswana.

This species of rhinoceros is extremely dangerous due to its aggressive nature. The approach of a person, even if it is an innocent tourist with a camera, can react quite nervously, so you should keep your distance from him. Just like the white rhinoceros, it has two horns, one large and the other small, but somewhat smaller in size. The body length of the black rhinoceros is up to 3 m. Also characteristic difference The black rhinoceros is characterized by the presence of a movable black lip. The black rhinoceros lives in a number of countries in Western, Eastern and Southern Africa: South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique.

As you probably guessed, the homeland of the Indian rhinoceros is India, but in addition to it, Indian rhinoceroses also live in Nepal. The body length of the Indian rhinoceros is on average 2 m and with a body weight of 2.5 tons. The Indian rhinoceros has only one horn, and unlike African rhinoceroses, it is not sharp, but rather blunt and convex.

The only living species of rhinoceros whose skin is covered with small hair, which is why it is sometimes also called the “hairy rhinoceros”. It is also the most ancient among all rhinoceroses. The body length of the Sumatran rhinoceros is 2.3 m and weighs 2.25 tons. Among rhinoceroses, the Sumatran rhinoceros is the smallest, but despite this, it remains one of the most large representatives animal world of our planet. The Sumatran rhinoceros lives on the island of Sumatra (in Indonesia), also in Malaysia.

This rhinoceros is in particularly poor condition; according to zoologists, only about 50 individuals have survived at the moment. Javan rhinoceros. It lives only on the island of Java in a reserve specially created for it, in which every effort is made for its subsequent conservation. The Javan rhinoceros is similar in size and build to the Indian rhinoceros, but its characteristic feature is the complete absence of horns in females. Only male Javan rhinoceros have horns. The folds of his thick skin are somewhat reminiscent of knight's armor.

Rhino breeding

Rhinoceroses reach sexual maturity in the 7th year of life. But a male rhinoceros can begin the process of copulation with a female and the process of reproduction only after he has acquired his own territory. Usually this process takes another 2-3 years of life. The mating season for rhinoceroses usually occurs every month and a half; during this period, the male begins an intensive search for a female, which is interesting, when the male is chasing a female rhinoceros, they can even fight. But then the female gives in to the pressure of the male, and mating occurs.

The pregnancy of a female rhinoceros lasts one and a half years, and only one baby is born to her. A newborn rhinoceros weighs 25 kg, but begins to gain weight very quickly. Interestingly, white rhinoceros babies are born with hair. After just a few days, little rhinoceroses are able to follow their mother, and after three months they eat plants. However, during this period, the basis of their diet is mother's milk. For a whole year, a female rhinoceros feeds her children with breast milk. It should also be noted that small rhinos do not have horns, which begin to grow in their 2-3rd year of life.

• Residents of Europe first saw a rhinoceros only in 1513; it was handed over to Portuguese sailors by the Indian Rajah of Cambay. At first, the strange beast was exhibited for the amusement of the crowd, then the Portuguese decided to send it as a gift to the Pope, but on the way on the ship the rhinoceros went berserk, broke through the side of the ship and drowned.
• The World Wildlife Fund WWF has established a special “Rhino Day” which is celebrated on September 22.
• The large woolly rhinoceros Elasmotherium once lived in forests, including our country Ukraine, as well as many other places in Eurasia. Unfortunately, it became extinct 8 thousand years ago.
• The word “rhinoceros” itself appears in the names of many other animals, for example, there is a rhinoceros beetle, a rhinoceros, a hornbill, a rhinoceros iguana, and a rhinoceros fish. They all have horns, which makes them look like our today's hero - the rhinoceros.

Rhinoceros, video

And finally, an interesting video about crazy rhino attacks caught on camera.