Animals of the Open Grasslands

Science · Animals of the World · ages 7-9

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Zebras are grazing animals that eat grass.
Circle one: True False
Which animal lives on the African savanna?
- Prairie dog
- Cheetah
- Bison
A savanna is a thick forest full of tall trees.
Circle one: True False
What does a savanna or grassland look like?
- Wide open land with grass and few trees
- A thick forest with tall trees
- A frozen icy land
How is a savanna different from a forest?
- A savanna is wide open grass with few trees. A forest is full of trees.
- A savanna has more trees than a forest
- A forest has no animals living in it
Lions hunt together in a group called a pride.
Circle one: True False
Which pair of animals lives in the American grasslands, not the African savanna?
- Lions and cheetahs
- Wildebeest and elephants
- Bison and prairie dogs
Which group has only African savanna animals in it?
- Elephant, cheetah, and bison
- Bison, zebra, and prairie dog
- Lion, zebra, and wildebeest
What would probably happen if zebras lived alone instead of in herds?
- Lions would stop hunting zebras
- Lions could sneak up more easily, so more zebras would get caught
- Zebras would find much more grass to eat
A pride of lions creeps low through the tall grass toward a zebra herd. Why do the lions stay low?
- To look for grass to eat
- To stay hidden from the zebras until they are close
- To rest their legs while they walk

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

True · Zebras graze, which means they eat grass. They do not hunt other animals.
Cheetah · Cheetahs live on the African savanna. Bison and prairie dogs live on the grasslands of North America.
False · A savanna is wide open land covered in grass, with only a few trees here and there.
Wide open land with grass and few trees · Savannas and grasslands are wide and open, with grass covering the ground and only a few trees.
A savanna is wide open grass with few trees. A forest is full of trees. · A savanna is wide open land with grass and only a few trees. A forest is packed with trees.
True · A group of lions is called a pride. The pride creeps through the grass together to sneak up on prey.
Bison and prairie dogs · Bison and prairie dogs live on the grasslands of North America, far from the African savanna.
Lion, zebra, and wildebeest · Lions, zebras, and wildebeest all live on the African savanna. Bison and prairie dogs live in North America.
Lions could sneak up more easily, so more zebras would get caught · A zebra alone has only its own eyes. Without the herd watching in every direction, lions could get close more easily.
To stay hidden from the zebras until they are close · Staying low in the tall grass keeps the lions hidden, so the zebras do not spot them too soon.