The Difference Between The Plains Bison And Wood Bison
Posted by admin on September 27, 2011 in Uncategorized
The Plains Bison and Wood Bison are both subspecies of the American Bison. Since they are members of the same family, they are often confused. This article will explain how you can tell the difference between the two powerful species.
First, it is important to know the different names for each species. The Wood Bison can also be called the Mountain Buffalo, Wood Buffalo, or American Bison. The Plains Bison is also called the American Buffalo.
The most noticeable difference between the Plains Bison and Wood Bison is size. The Wood Bison is much heavier than the Plains Bison. A male Wood Bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. This massive size makes the Wood Bison the largest territorial animal in all of North America. The average size of a fully-mature male Plains Bison is approximately 1500 pounds.
You can also tell the difference between the two animals by noting other physical characteristics. The Wood Bison’s coat has a shaggy appearance. It sheds during the summer to make way for a lighter coat. In contrast, the Plains Bison has a glossy coat with shorter hairs.
The Wood Bison has short horns, and their horns extend sideways and back from their heads. The Plains Bison has much larger horns.
Finally, there is a large difference in the prevalence of each species. The Wood Bison is considered at-risk, and is currently on the Endangered Species list for Canada. There are currently only approximately 3,000 Wood Bison located in the wild. However, the American Plains Bison is no longer at risk for extinction.
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