European bison
Bison bonasus
ok. 188 cmAdult male
at the shoulder
at the shoulder
- Mass
- 800–1 000 kgTypowe wartości w źródle
European bison — size comparison
The European bison is the largest wild land mammal native to Europe. It has heavy forequarters, a broad head, a beard and short curved horns. The dense winter c
Silhouette comparison
Height
Ground barkReference values · details in the profiles
HeightScale in m
00,511,52
approx. 188 cm
The scale compares the named dimensions. View direction and measurement points are given for each animal.
European bison — size comparison — facts and sources
The European bison is the largest wild land mammal native to Europe. It has heavy forequarters, a broad head, a beard and short curved horns. The dense winter coat particularly protects the shoulders and neck. It inhabits deciduous and mixed forests but regularly feeds in clearings, meadows and other open areas.
It eats grasses, herbs, leaves, shoots and bark. Females and young form herds, while adult bulls more often live alone or in small groups. Movements connect resting places with seasonally available food.
Present populations result from restoration after the loss of wild herds. Conservation breeding began in Białowieża Forest in 1929, using surviving captive animals. The first bison from this programme were released to roam freely in 1952. Long-term cooperation between breeders and conservationists returned the species to forests from which it had disappeared.
Animal Diversity Web podaje około 1,8–1,95 m wysokości oraz 800–1 000 kg. Do porównania przyjęto 188 cm w barku. Sierść na garbie może wystawać nieco ponad anatomiczny punkt pomiaru.