Serengeti Facts
What continent is the Serengeti located on?
Africa
What animal starts the Great Migration?
The wildebeest
What makes new grass grow in the Serengeti?
Who lived in the Serengeti before it became a park?
The Maasai people
What do predators in the Serengeti eat?
Other animals like wildebeest or zebras
What two countries share the Serengeti region?
Tanzania and Kenya
What other two animals migrate with the wildebeest?
Zebras and gazelles
What happens when it doesn’t rain for a long time?
The grass dries up and animals must move
Who manages the Serengeti National Park today?
The Tanzanian government
What happens to the Serengeti ecosystem if rainfall stops for a long time?
Grass and water dry up, and animals struggle to survive
What type of land is most of the Serengeti?
Grassland or Savanna
Why do wildebeest migrate each year?
- To find food and water
- Breed/Birthing
What is a “limiting factor”?
Something like rain or food that controls how animals survive
Why do people visit the Serengeti today?
To see wildlife and go on safaris
How do wildebeest help the grass grow back?
Their droppings fertilize the soil and spread seeds
What year was the Serengeti National Park officially created?
1951
What dangerous obstacle do wildebeest have to cross during migration?
Rivers with crocodiles
At some point, there will be too many organisms in one location for the food to be sustainable and some will starve before the population stabilizes. What is this condition called?
Carrying Capacity
What is one problem that happens when more tourists visit?
Pollution or damage to animal habitats
Wildebeest rely on grass, Hyenas rely on wildebeest, dung beetles rely on wildebeest. What do Zebras do to survive, and why?
Follow herds of wildebeest for protection
Why are wildebeest the keystone species of the Serengeti?
~Almost all life in the Serengti interacts with Wildebeest~
From August to November, where are the wildebeest?
In the north
Why can’t the wildebeest stay in one area all year?
They would eat all the grass and run out of f
How can people help protect the Serengeti?
Follow park rules and support conservation programs
Why is the Serengeti called a balanced ecosystem?
Because plants, animals, and rain all depend on each other