Animals
There is a short supply of hiding places in the temperate grasslands, such as; rock piles,dense undergrowth, fallen timber, trees, and bushes. Since there is no place for small animals to hide, they burrow underground. The temperate grasslands are home to more burrowing animals than any of the other world biomes. These burrows give temporary protection until the danger is gone. Burrowing mammals have spent a lifetime of burrowing, and it has required a lot of adaptations. Muscular legs and long claws help them dig in the perfect soil of the grassland. Their bodies are great for sliding through tunnels and around awkward roots. Some burrowing animals are the black-tailed prairie dogs, cottontail rabbits, prairie rattlesnakes, burrowing owls, and moles. Burrowing also helps escapes the weather, not just predators. When in the winter, the underground is warm., and in the summer, underground is cool. Other small mammals are mice, rats, and ground squirrels. However, these animals do not burrow.
Larger animals must spend the winter outside. These animals have developed windproof fur to keep the cold out. The North American Bison grow a heavier coat with a thick mane. They tend to huddle together to keep warm, setting the younger calves in the middle out of the wind. Bison previously ruled the grassland biome and roamed by the millions but their numbers soon decreased due to settlement in the 1800s. Another animal in the temperate grasslands are ungulates, they are hoofed mammals, much like horses, who have adapted to be able to run away from danger. They have specially adapted stomachs that allow them to digest the different types of grasses in the grassland. These animals have adapted to the conditions of the temperate grasslands. It is amazing how long they have survived.
Larger animals must spend the winter outside. These animals have developed windproof fur to keep the cold out. The North American Bison grow a heavier coat with a thick mane. They tend to huddle together to keep warm, setting the younger calves in the middle out of the wind. Bison previously ruled the grassland biome and roamed by the millions but their numbers soon decreased due to settlement in the 1800s. Another animal in the temperate grasslands are ungulates, they are hoofed mammals, much like horses, who have adapted to be able to run away from danger. They have specially adapted stomachs that allow them to digest the different types of grasses in the grassland. These animals have adapted to the conditions of the temperate grasslands. It is amazing how long they have survived.