The wisent (or Bison bonasus), also commonly referred to as the European bison, is a large ungulate living in the forests and meadows of Poland, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Slovakia, in Eastern Europe. Wisents are characterised by their large head, shoulder hump and forequarters, all of which are covered in a brown, shaggy coat. The hindquarters are less bulky and are covered in a thinner coat. Both males and females have curled horns that point inwards towards the head and look otherwise alike, though males are larger by about 5%. Bulls grow 1.8m to 2.1m tall at the shoulder, 2.8m to 3.3m long, and weigh 615kg to 920kg. Cows are 1.7m to 2m tall at the shoulder, reach a length between 2.4m to 2.9m and a weight of 425kg to 635kg.

Latin Name
Bison bonasus
Slug
wisent
Site
Conservation Status
Animal Category
Region
Game
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