Serengeti National Park hosts a number of wild species who harmoniously live together as one big family, flowing within a breathtaking food chain. Some feed on the short, nutritious grass, and these are the herbivores, while others survive on meat, which are the carnivores. There are also melodious birds that depend on seeds and others on flowers, not forgetting the primates who also feed on fruits, plants, nuts, barks, pith, tubers, and roots. The reptiles move slowly but are always sure they will reach their destination.
The Herbivores in Serengeti National Park
The herbivores are lovely and friendly, unlike the carnivores. They don’t endanger other animal species since they feed on grass for body strength and growth. Some of the herbivores in this park include:
- Elephants, considered to be the giants where their foot can kill the mighty lion
- Giraffes, who possess extremely long legs and necks
- Zebras, famously known to move with the wildebeest during the migration season
- Buffaloes, made of ox-like bodies with hooves at the front
- Rhinos, with massive bodies and large heads with 1-2 horns
- Antelopes, to mention but a few
These can be spotted in areas covered with savannah vegetation and near waterholes, which are their feeding grounds, so expect to find a variety of them.
The Carnivores
The meat hunters can be easily spotted near waterholes, targeting the herbivores, especially the migrating species that suffer a lot since they are unsettled, always moving to look for pasture and water. Examples of these wild species include:
- Lions, which are the kings of the jungle and are most feared
- Leopards, mostly found up in the trees and usually stay alone
- Cheetahs, great enemies of the lions, and they always leave them with injuries or kill them
Tourists swamp Serengeti every year because of these wild animals.
Primates in Serengeti National Park
These include the monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, baboons, and others who use movements as a way of communication. They are mainly found in the forested areas of Serengeti, and gorilla trekking is done and enjoyed by many tourists.
Reptiles
These use their bellies for movement, and they include:
- Crocodiles that live in water and feast on meat just like the carnivores
- Turtles, live in both water and on land and usually hide in their hard shells for protection
- Snakes, some poisonous, others not, but all are dangerous
Birds in Serengeti
Birds are everywhere in the park but are mostly found in the forested areas. Some of these include:
- Grey-crowned crane
- Lilac-breasted roller
- Kori bustard
- Southern ground hornbill
- Secretary bird
- Marabou stork
- Lesser flamingo
- Tawny eagle
- Superb starling, and many others
Vegetation
Serengeti National Park is gifted with lush greenery that occupies the entire park, sometimes referred to as the endless plain because of the grassland that mainly grows in the south. As you head to the north, the vegetation fuses into savanna shrubs and acacia, favoring the giraffes. There are short rains, and then finally, the long rains fill up the waterholes. But once they are done, the dry season sets in again, draining all the water collection areas. This forces the wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles to migrate to the north to survive the drought.
Serengeti is one of the ecosystems that have lasted for millions of years and attracts a variety of people every year, covering even historical sites such as the Olduvai Gorge. Missing visiting Serengeti is missing England.
