Question 1
What are temperate grasslands in the United States called?
They are called plains or prairies.
Do trees need a little or a lot of water to grow?
Trees need a lot of water.
Where are the root systems of grassland grasses?
They are underground.
Why are grasslands shrinking?
Mostly because of people (farming and grazing).
Do temperate grasslands have a lot of grass?
Yes, they have a lot of grass.
Name two other names for grasslands around the world.
Steppes, pampas, or veldts.
What is a "drought"?
A long period without rain.
What color are prairie dogs and ferrets?
They are a brownish color.
Why is a brownish color helpful for animals?
It helps them camouflage (hide) with their surroundings.
What do people use the grassland soil for?
They use it for farming.
Which large animal almost became extinct?
The bison.
What is another name for a tropical grassland?
A savanna.
Where do badgers and burrowing owls hide?
They hide underground.
What keeps trees from growing besides lack of water?
Periodic fires and herbivores (animals that eat plants).
Who or what starts fires in the grasslands?
Lightning or humans.
Is a "steppe" a type of grassland?
Yes, it is.
Which biome has very few trees?
The temperate grassland biome.
Are fires important for the grassland biome?
Yes, they are very important for preserving it.
What is a "herbivore"?
An animal that eats plants.
Name one animal that eats small trees.
Bison, deer, or pronghorns.
Why do animals burrow underground?
Because there are no places to hide in the open spaces.
Do herbivores eat meat?
No, they eat plants.
What special system helps herbivores eat grass?
Special digestive systems.
Which is warmer all year long: temperate or tropical grasslands
Tropical grasslands.
Does a tropical grassland have more or less rain than a temperate one?
More rain (20–50 inches compared to 10–35 inches).