Life in the Temperate Grasslands

Climate

• Temperate grasslands have hot summers and cold winters with moderate rainfall. Mid-latitude continental areas, where temperate grasslands are most common, typically have between 10 and 20 inches of precipitation per year according to Radford University.

Animals

• The temperate grassland fauna is comparatively low in diversity, with the types of animals varying between different regions across the world. The University of California Museum of Paleontology shows how animals found in temperate grasslands can vary from large mammals such as gazelles, wild horses and zebras, to smaller mammals such as mice, foxes, skunks and badgers. In North America the dominant herbivores are bison, according to Radford University.

Plants

• According to the University of California Museum of Paleontology, the seasonal drought, occasional fires and grazing by large animals prevent woody shrubs and trees from becoming established, although trees such as oak and willow can grow in river valleys.