Translations:AY Honors/Temperate Grasslands/Answer Key/89/en

Mammal adaptations to grasslands include coloration, speed, feeding patterns, and adaptability. Pronghorn are the fasted land mammal in North America, able to outrun most any predator. The American Bison, North America’s largest land animal, once wandered the plains in the tens of millions, constantly shifting location to avoid overgrazing any one area. Mule Deer and White-Tailed Deer graze in the grasslands, able to leap and run quickly if predators are around. Rabbits and Jackrabbits also leap and turn quickly to avoid predators, both are able to conserve water, and both are colored to blend in to their environment. In more arid grasslands, the Jackrabbit’s long ears serve as radiators, letting off excess heat. Prairie Dogs dig extensive tunnels to hide, and primarily eat grass, drawing nearly all the water they need from the grasses, and thus not needing to be around streams or ponds. Coyotes have colors that blend in with the tall grasses, and are very adaptable in what they eat. Bobcats are normally found in woodlands and river bottoms, but also hunt in grasslands, seeking rabbits, rodents and other small mammals.