Grasslands cover about a quarter of the earth’s land mass and are called by many different names. In South America they are called Las Pampas.
Aldabra tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)
The Aldabra tortoise is one of the largest land tortoises found anywhere in the world. Native to coastal islands near Madagascar, it is the larger cousin of the Galapagos Island tortoise. The Aldabra tortoise may live as long as 150 years on a diet of vegetation and can have a shell that is 5 feet in length.
Brazilian Tapir (Tapirus terrestris)
These “living fossils” are easy to spot: look for the short, fleshy trunk which they use to find food. Tapirs live in forest areas in northeastern South America. They are excellent swimmers and spend much of their time in water. Their closest living relatives are the horse and the rhinoceros.
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Lion Country Safari has served as a refuge for these injured rehabilitated birds since 1984. Most of these pelicans received wing injuries in the wild, and cannot be returned to their natural habitat since they can no longer fly. The brown pelicans are here by permission of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Alpaca (Vicugna pacos)
Social animals, alpacas live in family groups led by an alpha male. Native to the Andes Mountains of South America, alpacas are related to the larger llamas and smaller vicuñas. Herbivores, they can live up to 20 years.
Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)
The South American rhea is the fourth largest of all birds in the world today. The rhea stands about 4 feet tall and weighs in at about 50 pounds. Their large size and tiny wings render them incapable of flight, but their powerful legs allow them to run at speeds of up to 30 m.p.h.
