Prairie Animals

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Prairie Animals
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Large Grazing Mammals

• Large grazing mammals have adapted to take
  advantage of the above ground prairie grasses
  biomass. Cellulose is hard to digest.
• High crowned non-abrasive hypsodont teeth with
  crescent shaped ridges of hard enamel that rise
  from the gum over time
• Multiple storage and fermentation chambers before
  the true stomach. The first called the rumen
  containing bacterial symbionts that aid in the
  digestion of the cellulose.
• Undigested food is regurgitated, remasticated,
  and swallowed again for more fermentation.
  Process called rumination.
• Protective horns and/or endurance runners
  (pronghorns can run 30 mph for up to 7 miles)

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Small Grazing Mammals

• Lagomorphs do not have the digestive
  specializations of the ruminants.
• In these animals, small greenish pellets high in
  nutrients form in the caecum. These pellets are
  voided and reingested. This process is called
  Caprophagy.

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Burrowing Mammals

• Burrowing mammals exploit the below ground
  vegetative biomass while taking advantage of the
  moderate microclimate
• Claws for digging
• Streamline form

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Predatory Mammals

• There are a variety of predatory mammals on the
  prairie although many have been displaced by
  humans (wolves and bears)
• All have keen sense and rely on stealth and speed
  in capturing prey

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Grassland Birds

• Prairie birds fill similar niches as prairie
  mammals
• Some relying on the grass and forb seed while
  other eat the numerous invertebrates living on
  the prairie, and others are important predators
• They burrow or nest on the ground, and most call
  on the wing and have aerial displays for
  attracting mates

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Reptiles

• Being pre-adapted for dry climates, reptiles have
  been successful on the great plains.
• Predatory.
• Specialized burrowers or burrows users

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Amphibians

• Being reliant on water resources for breeding and
  early development has severely limited the
  diversity of amphibians
• Opportunistic breeding when rains
• Burrowing adaptations

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Other Animals

• Besides the diversity of grasshoppers abundant in
  the grassland landscape, there are a number of
  other interesting insects and invertebrates.

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