The Herd Life

It's easy to see for a long distance on a grassland - as long as you're taller than the grass. Unfortunately, this means that for big animals, hiding from predators that would like to eat them isn’t easy. Large grassland herbivores have two main tactics to keep safe: they join herds and they are very, very fast.

Herds are groups of animals that can range in size from a handful of individuals to thousands. Being in a herd provides an animal some safety. With many eyes to keep watch, a predator is less likely to successfully sneak up on that animal, and the herd may help defend the animal if it's attacked. 

These animals also have stick-like legs and small feet with few toes, which lightens the limbs so they can move them faster. Of course, this isn't the only way to clear a lot of ground. Kangaroos, for instance, just jump.

You may be wondering whether small animals have as much trouble protecting themselves from predators as herd animals. Can't a little animal simply hide in the grass? Well, yes, but predators have keen ears and noses and it's just as hard to see a predator coming as it is for them to see you.

For real safety, many small grassland animals move underground into their burrows. Burrows provide a safe place to raise young and hide from predators, fire and bad weather. They also provide a place to store food for the future. Some burrowing animals even dig to find their food, which is often insects, worms or plant roots.

All sorts of grassland animals dig burrows, including insects, small mammals, reptiles like tortoises, and even a few birds. Even more animals use existing burrows that they might modify a bit. But even in burrows, some predators, like snakes, can find small animals.

Taking to the Air