The most prevalent ecosystem in Tanzania, the miombo, or moist woodland, is a biologically diverse region defined by the presence of trees in the Brachystegia genus. It is a tropical or subtropical open forest occupying the central plateau region, sometimes described as moist savanna. Although mostly comprised of miombo trees, baobab trees (Adansonia digitata), and grasses, herbaceous plants like crotalaria (Crotalaria) and succulent shrubs such as the rubber tree (Landolphia parviflora) are also found. Many of Tanzania's best known animals are found in miombo woodlands, such as the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), the forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis), the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), and the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). One of the rarest animals found in the miombo woodland is the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus). Sometimes called the painted wolf, it is a medium-sized canid known for its mottled beige, black, or white coat and oversized ears.
Little remains of Tanzania's once vast tropical forest ecosystem. Small patches, however, exist in the northeastern portion of the country, in the Usambaras mountains. The key tree species in Tanzania's tropical forest is the forest newtonia (Newtonia buchananii), although many other species are also found there, including the East African tree fern (Cyathea manniana) and the mwaka tree (Allanblackia stuhlmannii), an endemic species. Several varieties of impatiens and African violet (Saintpaulia) also originate in the area. Animal life in the tropical forest is rich in primate species and includes a variety of colobus monkeys (Procolobus), the sanje crested mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus), and two varieties of bushbabies (Galago): the Uluguru bush baby (G. orinus) and the dwarf galago (Galagoides udzungwensis). The African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) is a top predator in the tropical forest. Seldom seen, they hunt duiker (Cephalophus) and other small mammals.
Savanna is typified in the Serengeti plain, one of the most visited areas of Tanzania. Acacia woodlands and open, grassy plains dominate the landscape and are home to such plant species as red grass (Themeda), several varieties of pennisetum (Pennisetum), the sausage tree (Kigelia africana), candelabra euphorbia (Euphorbia candelabrum), the umbrella tree (Acacia tortilis), and the whistling thorn (Acacia drepanolobium). Predators commonly found on the savanna include lions (Panthera leo), servals (Leptailurus serval), spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Many species of antelope dwell in the open savanna and woodlands, such as three species of oryx (Oryx), the lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), and the common eland (Taurotragus oryx).
