Steppe bison
| Steppe bison | |
|---|---|
Least Concern
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia
|
| Phylum: | Chordata
|
| Class: | Mammalia
|
| Order: | Artiodactyla
|
| Family: | Bovidae
|
| Genus: | Bison
|
| Species: | B. priscus
|
| |
| Steppe bison range. | |
The steppe bison is a species of bison most commonly found in Wosteaque, specifically Boemont and Frésir. The steppe bison was once dispersed throughout Earth being found in the many plains biomes. Radiocarbon dating found it's closest relatives have been extirpated for more than 5,000 years, although today's steppe bison are around 20% larger.
Description
The steppe bison is a large ??
Evolution
Although the exact location or even a estimated guess of where the steppe bison appeared is unknown, it is currently guess to appeared somewhere in Hesperdia about 200,000 years ago. The first steppe bison migrated to Wosteaque from several ice bridges from Caxcana. It is unknown why the steppe bison has stayed comparatively close to its ancestors, while other populations of steppe bison slowly evolved into new species.
Ecology
Habitat
Steppe bison are usually, given the name, in steppes and plains, although they have been known to roam in several forest types. Their range stretches from most of the steppes, and prairies of Boemont to the eastern plains of Frésir. Though fossils found in Larton suggest they were there until at least 10,000 years ago when they died out due to warming temperatures and the forestation of the northern plains.
Diet & predators
Steppe bison consume a verity of grasses, sedges and wooded plants. Steppe bison are usually protected by their herd members, as such their most commonly preyed upon by Wosteaquean wolfs, where the wolfs use pack hunting to secure a kill. Wosteaquean cheetahs have as been known to prey upon lone or juvenile steppe bison.
Lifespan and reproduction
Steppe bisons average lifespan is 10-20 years with some living up to 30 years.
Herd behavior
Steppe bison are herd animals, and spend much of their time migrating to new areas to forage for food during the summer. During the winter many of the herds travel south were it is much warmer, and food is in more abundance. Herds sizes can range up to 500 for smaller herds, or 2,000 for bigger ones. Steppe bison have two types of herds, maternal and bachelor, these two herds meet every year for the mating season.
Both maternal and bachelor herds have a dominance hierarchy with bison born earlier in the year normally being larger, and more dominant.