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 (Bison priscus) 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.
Description[edit | edit source]
The steppe bison is a large species of bison with an average height of 2 m (6 ft 7 in) with an average weight of 900 kilograms, with thick brown fur resistant to cold weather temperatures.
Evolution[edit | edit source]
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 around 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[edit | edit source]
Habitat[edit | edit source]
The steppe bison's usual habitat is in steppes and plains, although smaller populations do roam in several forest types. Their range almost stretches across the entirety of Boemont and Frésir, with exception of the mountains in Frésir, the Fil Humide Bog, and the Capital Territory of Wostmage. Remains found in Larton suggest they were there until at least 5,000 years ago when they died out due to warming temperatures and the heavy forestation of the northern plains.
Diet & predators[edit | edit source]
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 bywolfs, where the wolfs use pack hunting to secure a kill. Wosteaquean cheetahs have as been known to prey upon lone or juvenile steppe bison.
Population[edit | edit source]
The steppe bison population is around ~5,000,000, with 1,200,000 in Frésir, and 3,800,000 in Boemont.
Lifespan and reproduction[edit | edit source]
Steppe bison's average lifespan is 15-25 years with some living up to 30 years.
Herd behavior[edit | edit source]
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.