Savanna Herbivores: The Complete List

The savanna is a patchwork of grasses, scattered trees and seasonal water that supports large herds and solitary grazers alike. Herbivores shape vegetation patterns, influence predator distributions and are central to how these landscapes function year to year.

There are 44 Savanna Herbivores, ranging from African buffalo to Wild water buffalo. Each entry is listed with Scientific name, Typical mass (kg), and Range (regions); you’ll find these details below.

What counts as a “savanna herbivore” on this list?

This list includes terrestrial mammal species commonly tied to savanna and open woodland ecosystems that feed primarily on plants—grazers and browsers of adult size that have established ranges in savanna regions. Aquatic feeders, strictly forest specialists, and tiny rodents are generally excluded.

How accurate are the Typical mass (kg) figures?

Typical mass values are mean or common adult weights compiled from field guides and studies; they reflect averages and can vary by sex, season and population. Use them as general guidance and consult species-specific sources for precise measurements.

Savanna Herbivores

Images and Descriptions

African elephant

The African elephant is the largest land mammal, roaming African savannas in family herds, eating grasses, leaves and bark. Superb ecosystem engineers, they shape vegetation and water access, creating habitats used by many other savanna species.

Giraffe

A tall browsing mammal found across African savannas, giraffes feed mainly on acacia leaves and shoots. Their long necks let them reach high foliage, and their spotting patterns help identify regional populations and individual animals.

African buffalo

A large, herd-living grazer found near water in African savannas, buffaloes feed mostly on grasses. Highly social and formidable against predators, they influence grassland structure and are important for savanna nutrient cycling.

Hippopotamus

Hippos spend days in water and graze grass at night across savannas’ floodplains. Though amphibious, they are herbivores consuming large amounts of short grass and shaping riverine vegetation and nutrient flows.

Plains zebra

Plains zebras are social, migratory grazers on savanna grasslands, preferring short grasses. Their stripes may deter biting flies and help group cohesion; they are key grazers in seasonal migrations.

Grevy’s zebra

Grevy’s zebra lives in drier savanna and scrub, grazing tougher grasses and browsing sparse vegetation. More solitary and territorial than plains zebras, it is adapted to limited water and patchy forage.

Blue wildebeest

Blue wildebeest are migratory grazers of open savannas, eating grasses in vast herds. Famous for massive seasonal migrations, they drive predator dynamics and shape grassland regeneration across plains.

Black wildebeest

Black wildebeest inhabit southern grasslands and savannas, grazing grasses and forming tight herds. They evolved in open plains, display rapid running and complex social behavior, and were restored via conservation.

Common eland

The common eland is a huge, slow-moving antelope that browses and grazes across savannas. They eat grasses, leaves and fruits, and their size helps them access coarse vegetation other herbivores cannot.

Giant eland

Giant eland is an enormous antelope of West African savanna woodlands, feeding on leaves, twigs and grasses. Less gregarious than other antelopes, it is vulnerable to hunting and habitat loss.

Greater kudu

Greater kudu browse shrubs and trees in savanna woodlands, using their spiral horns defensively. Recognizable by vertical stripes, they are adaptable browsers often found near cover and water.

Impala

Impala are medium-sized antelopes that both graze and browse in savannas, switching diet with seasons. Agile leapers and socially complex, they are important prey for predators yet efficient at exploiting varied forage.

Springbok

Springbok are small, graceful antelopes of open savannas and dry plains, feeding mainly on grasses and succulents. They display explosive jumping (“pronking”) and are well adapted to scarce water and seasonal forage.

Gemsbok (Oryx)

Gemsbok are large antelope adapted to dry savannas, feeding on tough grasses, shrubs and succulents. They tolerate heat and water scarcity, and their long horns are used for defense and dominance displays.

Sable antelope

Sable are striking black-and-white antelopes that graze and browse in savanna woodlands. Strong and territorial, they form herds and use curved horns in defense, influencing local grazing patterns.

Roan antelope

Roan antelope are large, grazing antelopes of African savannas, feeding mainly on grasses. They form harem or bachelor herds, are powerful defenders against predators, and prefer slightly more wooded savanna.

Hartebeest

Hartebeest are long-faced grazers adapted to open savannas, consuming a variety of grasses. Their high-crowned teeth and efficient digestive systems suit continuous grazing, and they often form nomadic herds.

Topi

Topi are alert, fast antelopes grazing short grasses on savannas and floodplains. Territorial males defend patches of grass, and topi are important in predator–prey dynamics due to their daytime activity and herding.

Thomson’s gazelle

Thomson’s gazelles are small, nimble grazers of East African savannas, eating short grasses and forbs. They form mixed herds, use speed to escape predators, and are a common sight in migration areas.

Grant’s gazelle

Grant’s gazelles browse and graze across dry savannas, eating grasses and shrubs when available. Adaptable to drought, they use patchy vegetation and can survive on browse during scarce grass seasons.

Kirk’s dik-dik

Kirk’s dik-dik is a tiny, territorial antelope feeding on leaves, shoots and grasses in scrubby savannas. They live in monogamous pairs, use scent marking, and are prey for many small predators.

Warthog

Warthogs are pig-like grazers and roots-eaters that use burrows for shelter in savannas. They mainly feed on grasses and bulbs, can kneel to graze, and are surprisingly resilient and social.

Common duiker

The common duiker is a small, adaptable browser of savanna thickets and woodland edges, eating leaves, fruits and shoots. Solitary and secretive, it helps control shrub growth and disperse seeds.

Cape hare

The Cape hare grazes and browses on grasses and herbs in open savannas, using speed to escape predators. Crepuscular and solitary, it is a common small herbivore across dry plains.

Rock hyrax

Rock hyraxes are small, social herbivores feeding on grasses and leaves near rocky outcrops within savannas. Closely related to elephants evolutionarily, they bask on rocks and form dense colonies.

Waterbuck

Waterbuck are large antelopes that graze near water in savannas, favoring lush grasses. Their oily coat resists water, and they rely on wetlands and riverside vegetation for feeding and refuge.

Kob

Kob are medium-sized grazing antelopes of floodplain savannas, forming large herds in wet seasons. Their population shifts with water and grass availability, making them central to wetland-savanna food webs.

Bohor reedbuck

Bohor reedbuck are grazers of marshy savannas and floodplains, feeding on hydrophilic grasses and sedges. Shy and crepuscular, they frequent reed beds and grassy wetlands within savanna landscapes.

Greater cane rat

The greater cane rat is a large, mainly herbivorous rodent that feeds on grasses, crops and aquatic plants in savannas. Often considered a pest, it plays roles in seed dispersal and local food webs.

Nilgai

Nilgai are the largest Asian antelope, browsing and grazing across Indian savanna woodlands. Males are bulky with bluish coats; they adapt to seasonal forage changes and are common in agricultural frontiers.

Blackbuck

Blackbuck are graceful, fast antelopes of South Asian grasslands, grazing on short grasses. Males have spiraled horns and display territorial leks; they prefer open, lightly wooded savannas and plains.

Chital (spotted deer)

Chital are medium deer that browse and graze in Indian savannas and woodlands, feeding on grasses, fruits and leaves. They form herds and are key prey for large carnivores in mosaic savanna habitats.

Barasingha (swamp deer)

Barasingha are deer of flooded grasslands and savanna meadows, eating grasses and sedges. Adapted to marshy savannas, they have splayed antlers and depend on seasonal wetlands for survival.

Wild water buffalo

Wild water buffalo graze wet grasslands and riverine savannas, consuming coarse grasses and aquatic plants. Heavily dependent on water, they form herds and are threatened by hybridization with domestic buffalo.

Red kangaroo

Red kangaroos are the largest marsupials, grazing grasses across Australian savannas. Males are large and muscular; they move by hopping, conserve water well, and influence grassland composition by selective grazing.

Eastern grey kangaroo

Eastern grey kangaroos graze grasses and shrubs in more mesic savannas and woodlands. Socially gregarious and crepuscular, they form mobs that modulate vegetation and are common across varied open habitats.

Antilopine kangaroo

Antilopine kangaroos inhabit northern tropical savannas, feeding on grasses and forbs. They form smaller mobs than red kangaroos and are adapted to seasonal wet–dry cycles of Australia’s savannas.

Agile wallaby

Agile wallabies are medium-sized macropods grazing grasses and herbs in tropical savannas. Solitary or in small groups, they use shaded edges and respond rapidly to seasonal grass growth.

Capybara

The capybara is the world’s largest rodent, grazing aquatic grasses and terrestrial forage in South American savannas and wetlands. Highly social and semi-aquatic, they shape wetland vegetation and attract many predators.

Marsh deer

Marsh deer browse and graze floodplain grasses and aquatic plants in South American savanna wetlands. Adapted to marshy habitats, they have long legs for wading and depend on seasonal water regimes.

Pampas deer

Pampas deer are small grazers of South American grasslands and savanna-like habitats, feeding on grasses and herbs. Skittish and crepuscular, they persist in fragmented grasslands and are indicators of prairie health.

American bison

American bison are massive grazers that shaped North American plains and oak savannas through wallowing and heavy grazing. They consume grasses and sedges, influence plant communities, and historically formed vast migratory herds.

Pronghorn

Pronghorn are swift North American herbivores grazing grasses and forbs on plains and savanna edges. Famous for speed, they evolved to outrun cursorial predators and migrate seasonally following forage availability.

White-tailed deer

White-tailed deer browse shrubs, leaves and grasses across oak savannas and woodland edges. Highly adaptable, they influence understory structure, seedling survival and are a common large herbivore in human-modified savannas.

Other Savanna Types