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MapSpeciesParksDiving
  1. Grassland
Sloth Bear

Ecosystem · Land

Grassland

625 documented species

Species in the spotlight: Sloth Bear

Grassland is a living landscape: 625 real species depend on its specific conditions to survive, not on a label on a map.

Ecosystem summary
Ecosystem type
Land
World distribution
222 countries with documented wildlife
Biodiversity level
625 documented species
Conservation status
68 threatened species (11%)
Flagship species
BIHÁHÁOso bezudoRinoceronte indio
625 species in total

Global range

Loading map…

Real parks and dive sites where wildlife from this ecosystem lives.

How this ecosystem works

Plains dominated by grasses, with few trees or none, in climates too dry for forest and too wet for desert. Grass, which regrows after being grazed or burnt, supports large herbivores and, behind them, their predators. The lack of cover favours group living, collective vigilance and speed as the main defence.

Make-up of its documented wildlife

195 Aves189 Mamíferos109 Insectos82 Reptiles23 Anfibios19 Arácnidos3 Nematodos2 Gasterópodos1 Tenias1 Anélidos clitelados1 Nematodos enopleos

Representative species

No sightings yet
Vulnerable

Bilby

Macrotis lagotis

No sightings yet
Critically Endangered

Common Hamster

Cricetus cricetus

No sightings yet
Vulnerable

Golden Hamster

Mesocricetus auratus

No sightings yet
Sloth BearVulnerable

Sloth Bear

Melursus ursinus

No sightings yet
Greater One-horned RhinoVulnerable

Greater One-horned Rhino

Rhinoceros unicornis

No sightings yet
Somali OstrichVulnerable

Somali Ostrich

Struthio molybdophanes

No sightings yet
Vulnerable

Chimney Swift

Chaetura pelagica

No sightings yet
Endangered

Whooping Crane

Grus americana

No sightings yet
Vulnerable

Black Crowned Crane

Balearica pavonina

No sightings yet
Vulnerable

Southern Ground-Hornbill

Bucorvus leadbeateri

No sightings yet
Vulnerable

Gopher Tortoise

Gopherus polyphemus

No sightings yet
Vulnerable

Eastern Box Turtle

Terrapene carolina

Showing 12 of 625 documented species. See all species →

Conservation status

41 Near Threatened365 Least Concern41 Vulnerable2 Data Deficient8 Critically Endangered142 Not Evaluated19 Endangered1 Extinct in the Wild6 Extinct

68 species in this ecosystem are in a threatened category according to the IUCN.

Connections with the ecosystem

625Species222Countries1,127Parks19Routes with these species

Related countries

Where to explore it

Sister landscapes

Other ecosystems that share real species with this one.

Keep exploring

Based on what we already know about this ecosystem.

CountryUnited States
Home
Ecosystems
United States
Canada
Mexico
Australia
Kenya
Tanzania
South Africa
Botswana
Namibia
Rwanda
Uganda
Democratic Republic of the Congo
National Park

Sierra de Guadarrama

Spain

See park
Nature Park

Serra da Estrela

Portugal

See park
Nature Park

Montesinho

Portugal

See park
National Park

Cabañeros

Spain

See park
National Park

Peneda-Geres

Portugal

See park
National Park

Monfrague

Spain

See park
Cave/Spring

Devil's Den

United States

See dive site
Wreck/Cold water

Fathom Five National Marine Park (Tobermory)

Canada

See dive site
Freshwater spring

Crystal River (manatees)

United States

See dive site
Freshwater wreck

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

United States

See dive site
Freshwater spring/Cave

Ginnie Springs

United States

See dive site
Cold freshwater wreck

Isle Royale National Park

United States

See dive site
Temperate forest184 species in common
Desert139 species in common
Savanna115 species in common