Temperate Grasslands
Photo credit
Mzabarovsky
Kurai Steppe, Altai
,
Russia

Temperate Grasslands

Grasses are the Dominant Vegetation, Lack of Trees and Shrubs

Inspiring you to tour the Temperate Grasslands biome and embark on a journey of discovery through its breathtaking areas of natural beauty and diverse wildlife

Discover Tours

Found in mid-latitude zones spanning from the Eurasian steppes to the North American prairies and the Argentine pampas, grasslands sit between forests and deserts in the amount of rain they get each year. You won’t find trees or towering plants here - instead, these flat, wide-open spaces can offer views that stretch on uninterrupted for miles upon miles.

Often found sandwiched between deserts and mountains in the middle of the continent, grasslands provide a unique habitat for grazing wildlife - from hyenas and prairie dogs to bison, badgers and antelopes.

Found from the central plains of the USA to the far reaches of Asia and central Australia, grasslands are a diverse habitat of plants and animals, living in harmony often hundreds or thousands of miles from the nearest coast. These habitats are characterised by expansive open horizons, sweeping vistas, and the numerous birds and animals that call them home.

Biome Map Image
Terpsichores, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / modified from original

Temperate Grasslands characteristics

  • Inland
  • Very few trees
  • Arid and dry
  • Little vegetation
  • Very limited rainfall
  • Waterholes
  • Large variations in temperature between summer and winter
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Wildnerdpix
Theodore Roosevelt National Park,
United States

Temperate Grasslands climate

Temperature High

38

°C

Temperature High (Avg)
Temperature Low

-40

°C

Temperature Low (Avg)
Precipitation

699

mm

Precipitation (Avg)

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Climate Change

Because they experience very little rain and are prone to drought, grasslands are vulnerable to fire. This can cause loss of habitat for the animals that live there and disrupt the livelihoods of people who farm in these regions. Particularly in the USA, where a lot of grassland is used for food production, increased drought could present significant consequences for the wider population.

Conversely, wildfires in grassland habitats do have some positive consequences: retaining the low quality of the soil that prevents trees from growing and disrupting the dominance of the grass and flower species within the fragile ecosystem.

Other threats to grasslands include over urbanisation, the encroachment of invasive species of plant upon those that grow there naturally, and the impact of pesticides that come from increased agriculture.

Top Temperate Grasslands tours

Although often overlooked by the mountains that neighbour them, a trip to visit grasslands can be a thrilling experience - especially if it’s wildlife you want to see. Spotting hawks, deer, pronghorn antelope or a herd of bison might be on your itinerary, or you might simply find that a hike through the huge open space is an adventure enough in itself. Numerous endangered species can be spotted in the Grasslands National Park in Canada, and camping, horse riding and kayaking are all activities built to entertain families or solo explorers.

Across the world, grasslands can offer experiences that will stay with you. From cycling or taking in a scenic drive to camping under the stars for a dark sky experience, there are a wealth of unexpected adventures waiting in these quiet, often overlooked parts of the world.

Cappadocia
Kateryna Kolesnyk

Cappadocia, 

Turkey

Tours in the Temperate Grasslands biome

Hiking the Best of Yellowstone and Grand Tetons
Hiking the Best of Yellowstone and Grand Tetons
Hiking the Best of Yellowstone and Grand Tetons
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Walking, Hiking & Trekking
Activity level
Activiy Level
Hiking the Best of Yellowstone and Grand Tetons

5 days from

£3,370 / person

View trip
Spectacular Canyons and National Parks End Rapid City
Spectacular Canyons and National Parks End Rapid City
Spectacular Canyons and National Parks End Rapid City
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Active
Activity level
Activiy Level
Spectacular Canyons and National Parks End Rapid City

13 days from

£2,850 / person

View trip
Natural Wonders of New Zealand and Australia Cruise and Tour
Natural Wonders of New Zealand and Australia Cruise and Tour
Natural Wonders of New Zealand and Australia Cruise and Tour
Location Icon
New Zealand, Australia
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Natural Wonders of New Zealand and Australia Cruise and Tour

29 days from

£7,095 / person

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Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
Location Icon
China
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Great Wall of China

11 days from

TBC / person

View trip
Western Frontiers End Denver
Western Frontiers End Denver
Western Frontiers End Denver
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Coach Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Western Frontiers End Denver

10 days from

£3,387 / person

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American Parks Trail with Rocky Mountaineer Option, Classic Group
American Parks Trail with Rocky Mountaineer Option, Classic Group
American Parks Trail with Rocky Mountaineer Option, Classic Group
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Coach Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
American Parks Trail with Rocky Mountaineer Option, Classic Group

12 days from

£6,185 / person

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Cartagena To Manaus - Trans South America
Cartagena To Manaus - Trans South America
Cartagena To Manaus - Trans South America
Location Icon
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Suriname & Guyana
Tour type
Tour Type
Adventure Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Cartagena To Manaus - Trans South America

189 days from

£8,355 / person

View trip
Yellowstone Camping Explorer
Yellowstone Camping Explorer
Yellowstone Camping Explorer
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Active
Activity level
Activiy Level
Yellowstone Camping Explorer

6 days from

£1,479 / person

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Yellowstone Wildlife Trails - Camping
Yellowstone Wildlife Trails - Camping
Yellowstone Wildlife Trails - Camping
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Adventure Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Yellowstone Wildlife Trails - Camping

12 days from

£3,699 / person

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India Uncovered
India Uncovered
India Uncovered
Location Icon
India
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
India Uncovered

12 days from

£1,095 / person

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Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia
Location Icon
Mongolia
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Mongolia

14 days from

£4,995 / person

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Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia
Location Icon
Mongolia
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
Mongolia

14 days from

TBC / person

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Hiking and Backpacking in Yellowstone
Hiking and Backpacking in Yellowstone
Hiking and Backpacking in Yellowstone
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Adventure Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
Hiking and Backpacking in Yellowstone

4 days from

£1,310 / person

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Exploring America's National Parks
Exploring America's National Parks
Exploring America's National Parks
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Budget
Activity level
Activiy Level
Exploring America's National Parks

15 days from

£2,689 / person

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America's Magnificent National Parks - end Denver, Classic Group
America's
  Magnificent National Parks - end Denver, Classic Group
America's Magnificent National Parks - end Denver, Classic Group
Location Icon
USA
Tour type
Tour Type
Coach Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
America's Magnificent National Parks - end Denver, Classic Group

15 days from

£6,309 / person

View trip
Big Cats
Big Cats
Big Cats
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canyoning
Canyoning
Canyoning
Cruise
Cruise
Cruise
Culture
Culture
Culture
Cycling
Cycling
Cycling
Festivals
Festivals
Festivals
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Hiking
Hiking
Hiking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Photography
Photography
Photography
Polar
Polar
Polar
Primates
Primates
Primates
Rafting
Rafting
Rafting
Rail
Rail
Rail
Safari
Safari
Safari
Sailing
Sailing
Sailing
Skiing
Skiing
Skiing
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Zip Lining
Zip Lining
Zip Lining

Temperate Grasslands areas of natural beauty

Although grasslands across the world share certain characteristics, differences can be found across all of them. Grassland found in the mountainous Steppe regions of western Asia are strikingly different from the fertile lowlands of the South American pampas or the corn fields and prairies of the central USA. A trip to any of them will offer up a vastly different, always unforgettable, experience.

Wildlife

Temperate Grasslands animals

The numerous grasses found in the grassland biome mean plenty of animals have found that they can sustain living here. Wild horses, coyotes, deer, rabbits, wolves, prairie dogs, snakes, foxes, skunks and badgers can all be found in grasslands, whilst bird species might include owls, woodpeckers, sparrows, hawks and meadowlarks.

Temperate Grasslands plants

Although very few trees grow in the grassland biome, flowers and (of course) many different types of grass have learnt to thrive here. Sunflowers, clovers, blazing stars and wild indigos are just a few examples of grassland flowers, whilst grasses include buffalo and purple needlegrass.

Temperate Grasslands countries

Grasslands are found across the planet, from the North American prairies and the Eurasian Steppes, to the Uruguayan and Argentine pampas and velds of South Africa. In most cases, grasslands are found in the interiors of these countries, many miles from the fertile land near the coast.

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