The Serengeti by Day

It is warm, dry, and sunny - a typical day during the dry season in the Serengeti. A quick look across the horizon and who knows what you might find - perhaps a herd of elephants pillaging their way through the acacia trees; a pride of lions napping in the grass; a group of hippos lingering in a nearby watering hole; or vultures enjoying the carcass of another's early morning kill.

All across this extended and varied landscape, a wide variety of wildlife goes about their day. Some will thrive. Some may simply survive. Others will fall victim to predators. Together, these animals, big and small, comprise one of the most spectacular and precious wildlife areas in the world.

An Endless Landscape

Originally formed by volcanic activity, the Serengeti has a diverse landscape that includes open grasslands in the south, savanna scattered with acacia trees in the center, wooded grasslands in the north, and extensive woodlands and plains in the west.

Aptly named ("Serengeti" comes from the word 'siringet' of the Maasai language which means "great open space" or "land goes on forever"), the Serengeti region encompasses 11,500 square miles (30,000 square km) in East Africa. Approximately 80 percent of the Serengeti region falls within the borders of Tanzania, the remaining 20 percent of the region being part of Kenya.

The landscape includes a variety of protected and controlled wildlife areas including: the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation area, Maswa Game Reserve, the Loliondo, Grumeti, and Ikorongo Controlled Areas and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Not surprisingly, the area attracts many tourists. The Serengeti National Park alone hosts more than 90,000 tourists each year!

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Article by Valerie Deveraux
Photographs by $PLAYER

Elephants eat five percent of their body weight in food each day. Much of this is excreted undigested - spreading ready-to-germinate seeds across the Serengeti.

Hippos spend much of their day hanging out in the water. They look happy, but don't cross them - hippos are surprisingly fierce and aggressive.

Herbivores Galore The Serengeti is home to millions of plant-eating animals (herbivores), including 30 species of large herbivores. Despite the large variety of herbivores that dot its landscape, the Serengeti is perhaps most famous for its large concentrated population of wildebeest, Thompson's gazelle, and zebra. Throughout the day, these herbivores roam the Serengeti, grazing, resting and keeping a watchful eye for predators who may lurk beyond.

Living amongst the mass populations of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra are some of Africa's biggest herbivores - hippos, elephants and rhinos. Because elephants and rhinos have been hunted for years, both animal populations have experienced huge declines and are, in fact, threatened.

Carnivore's Delight

The Serengeti is a carnivore's dream come true with millions of prey roaming the plains and woodlands. Largely at dawn and dusk, these hunters search out prey to serve as their next meal. These hunters eliminate the weak and sick animals first, helping to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

One of the most efficient hunters in the Serengeti is the African wild dog. In fact, targeted prey seldom escape the African wild dog. Much of the success of these hunters can be chalked up to their cooperative hunting and their ability to run long distances fast at up to 35 mph (56 kph). African wild dogs have earned a bad rap, in large part because of their vicious, aggressive attacks - they tear flesh until an animal falls, eating it even if it is still alive. But, the truth is, the African wild dog's hunting is no worse than the kills (often prolonged) of other carnivores.

African wild dogs resemble some domestic dogs in many ways, though each foot has four toes instead of five.

African wild dogs are, however, a vanishing species. Over time, African wild dogs have been killed (by gun or poison) by farmers, hunters, and even rangers who considered them threats to both livestock and wild herds. Although the wild dogs are protected in parks and reserves, their population has declined to the point that wild dog packs may no longer exist, classifying them as near extinction. Yet, like all of the animals in the Serengeti, the African wild dog plays an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, so its survival is crucial.

Although not as widespread as Grant's gazelle, the Thompson's gazelle is the most common gazelle in East Africa. The Thompson's gazelle is exceptionally alert and has fine senses - characteristics that help this smaller ungulate survive on the open plains.

A hippo can eat up to 100 pounds (45 kg) of grass a night.

Rhinos, like elephants, have very sensitive skin. To combat sun and insects, rhinos frequently hang out in the mud.

Birds, Birds, and More Birds The Serengeti is rich with bird life. In fact, more than 500 species of birds call the Serengeti home, including plant- and insect-eating birds as well as larger birds who prey on reptiles and scavenge carcasses. Some of the more noteworthy birds one might find in the Serengeti during the day include ostrich, vultures, and raptors including the unusual Secretary bird whose crest of feathers resemble quill pens of yesteryear.

Insects, Insectivores, and More

Let's face it, one doesn't set out on safari in the Serengeti in hopes of catching a glimpse of its insects. But, the insects, like all of the Serengeti's creatures, have their role in the ecosystem -- providing food for insectivores, for starters. Among the most important contributors are dung beetles, grasshoppers, termites, butterflies and ants.

The Serengeti's Cycle Continues

The cycle of life continues in the Serengeti. As night falls, some animals take shelter in hopes of staying out of the way of the nighttime predators and catching some rest for another big day on the Serengeti. For others, nightfall is their wake-up call. All of these animals - whether predator or prey - play an important role in keeping the Serengeti alive and well.

The ground pangolin found in Kenya and Tanzania is a strong digger, helping it to open termite mounds with ease. A pangolin prefers the volume it finds in a termite mound, but is also happy eating surface ants.

For more information, visit: The Safari Companion by Richard Estes The Kamusi Project Internet Living Swahili Dictionary
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