Grassland Animals: Names, Categories, and Interesting Facts

Grassland biomes are home to animals that thrive in wide, open spaces such as savannas and prairies. Many of the world’s most iconic land animals live here—like elephants, bison, and ostriches. Below is a practical, easy-to-scan list of grassland animals, grouped by type.

List of Grassland Animals

Mammals (Herbivores)

African Buffalo
Alpaca
Antelope
Bison
Deer
Duiker
Elephant
Elk
Gazelle
Giraffe
Guanaco
Guinea Pig
Hartebeest
Hippopotamus
Impala
Kangaroo
Oryx
Rhinoceros
Vicuna
Viscacha
Warthog
Zebra

Mammals (Carnivores & Omnivores)

Aardvark
Aardwolf
African Wild Dog
Baboon
Badger
Brown Bear
Caracal
Cheetah
Civet
Coati
Common Genet
Cougar
Coyote
Dingo
Fox
Geoffroy’s Cat
Hedgehog
Hyena
Jackal
Jaguar
Jaguarundi
Lion
Meerkat
Pangolin
Rabbit
Spectacled Bear
Tamandua
Tiger (rare in grasslands; some populations live in tall grasslands)
Weasel
Wildcat

Small Mammals (Burrowers)

Chipmunk
Gopher
Groundhog
Prairie Dog
Squirrel
Woodchuck

Birds

Bustard
Emu
Grouse
Ostrich
Warbler

Insects

Grasshopper

Reptiles

Giant Tortoise
Garter Snake
Gecko
Python

Grassland Animals with Fascinating Facts

Aardvark

Aardvarks spend nights digging up ants and termites with their long tongues.
They can dig a hole faster than several people with shovels.
Their thick skin helps protect them from insect bites.

Aardvark

/ˈɑrdˌvɑrk/

The aardvark is a mammal that burrows into the ground to catch ants and termites.

Gazelle

Gazelles use bounding leaps called stotting to escape predators.
They can run up to 60 mph (97 km/h) in short bursts.
Gazelles live in herds on African savannas and open grasslands.

Gazelle

/ɡəˈzɛl/

A gazelle can sprint quickly across open grasslands to escape predators.

Rabbit

Rabbits live in burrows called warrens with many entrances.
They have excellent vision to spot danger in open fields.
Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk.

Rabbit

/ˈræbɪt/

A rabbit quickly disappeared into its burrow when it sensed danger.

Gopher

Gophers dig extensive tunnel systems underground.
They store food in cheek pouches to carry back to their burrows.
Gopher tunnels help aerate and enrich the soil.

Gopher

/ˈɡoʊfɚ/

A gopher spends much of its time digging tunnels below the grass.

Prairie Dog

Prairie dogs live in large colonies called “towns” with many burrows.
They use different barks and calls to warn the group.
They often stand upright to watch for predators.

Prairie Dog

/ˈprɛri dɔɡ/

A prairie dog stood on a mound and warned the colony with a sharp bark.

Brown Bear

Brown bears are omnivores, eating berries, insects, fish, and small animals.
They can smell food from far away and travel long distances to find it.
In colder regions, brown bears hibernate during winter.

Brown Bear

/braʊn bɛr/