Editing European bison (section)

==Behaviour and biology==
===Social structure and territorial behaviours===
[[File:Зубри.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|Adult females with calves]]
[[File:C110.jpg|thumb|Bison usually live in small herds of about 10 animals; the image shows a herd in a nursery in the [[Altai Mountains]].]]

The European bison is a [[Herd|herd animal]], which lives in both mixed and solely male groups. Mixed groups consist of adult females, calves, young aged 2–3 years, and young adult bulls. The average herd size is dependent on environmental factors, though on average, they number eight to 13 animals per herd. Herds consisting solely of bulls are smaller than mixed ones, containing two individuals on average. European bison herds are not family units. Different herds frequently interact, combine, and quickly split after exchanging individuals.<ref name="pucek" />

Bison social structure has been described by specialists as a [[matriarchy]], as it is the cows of the herd that lead it, and decide where the entire group moves to graze.<ref>{{cite web|title = Leśnicy wołają żubry na siano|url = https://tvnmeteo.tvn24.pl/informacje-pogoda/polska,28/lesnicy-wolaja-zubry-na-siano,18741,1,0.html|publisher = TVN Meteo|author = Mirosław Androsiuk|date = 26 January 2012|access-date = 2 December 2019|archive-date = 28 December 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211228030217/https://tvn24.pl/tvnmeteo/najnowsze/lesnicy-wolaja-zubry-na-siano-4878020|url-status = live}}</ref> Although larger and heavier than the females, the oldest and most powerful male bulls are usually satellites that hang around the edges of the herd to protect the group.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Marta Kądziela (Director)|date=24 September 2014|title=Ocalony Świat – odc. 2 – Leśny majestat|trans-title = Saved World – Episode 2 – Forest Majesty|medium=Documentary|location=Poland|publisher=TVP1}}</ref> Bulls begin to serve a more active role in the herd when a danger to the group's safety appears, as well as during the mating season – when they compete with each other.<ref>{{cite web|title = Żubr dostał kosza, więc uciekł z pszczyńskiego rezerwatu|url = https://dziennikzachodni.pl/zubr-dostal-kosza-wiec-uciekl-z-pszczynskiego-rezerwatu/ar/240797|publisher = Dziennik Zachodni|author = Sylwia Plucińska|date = 6 April 2010|access-date = 2 December 2019|archive-date = 31 January 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210131163522/https://dziennikzachodni.pl/zubr-dostal-kosza-wiec-uciekl-z-pszczynskiego-rezerwatu/ar/240797|url-status = live}}</ref>

Territory held by bulls is correlated by age, with young bulls aged between five and six tending to form larger home ranges than older males. The European bison does not defend territory, and herd ranges tend to greatly overlap. Core areas of territory are usually sited near meadows and water sources.<ref name="pucek" />

===Reproduction===
The rutting season occurs from August through to October. Bulls aged 4–6 years, though sexually mature, are prevented from mating by older bulls. Cows usually have a gestation period of 264 days, and typically give birth to one calf at a time.<ref name="pucek" />

On average, male calves weigh {{convert|27.6|kg|lb|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} at birth, and females {{convert|24.4|kg|lb|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}. Body size in males increases proportionately to the age of 6 years. While females have a higher increase in body mass in their first year, their growth rate is comparatively slower than that of males by the age of 3–5. Bulls reach sexual maturity at the age of two, while cows do so in their third year.<ref name="pucek" />

European bison have lived as long as 30 years in captivity,<ref name="babalu">{{cite news |first=Luísa |last=Medeiros |url=http://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/app/noticia182/2009/09/03/cidades,i=139677/EXEMPLAR+DE+BISAO+FEMEA+QUE+VIVE+NO+ZOOLOGICO+DE+BRASILIA+PODE+SER+O+MAIS+VELHO+DA+ESPECIE.shtml |title=Female European bison in Brasília Zoo may be the species oldest |date=3 September 2009 |work=correiobraziliense.com.br |access-date=3 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904232217/http://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/app/noticia182/2009/09/03/cidades,i=139677/EXEMPLAR+DE+BISAO+FEMEA+QUE+VIVE+NO+ZOOLOGICO+DE+BRASILIA+PODE+SER+O+MAIS+VELHO+DA+ESPECIE.shtml |archive-date=4 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}(in Portuguese)</ref> but in the wild their lifespan is usually between 18 and 24 years, with females living longer than males.<ref name=żubryonline>{{cite web|title = ŻubryOnline|url = http://www.lasy.gov.pl/pl/informacje/kampanie_i_akcje/zubryonline|publisher = Lasy Państwowe|date = 4 November 2019|access-date = 30 November 2019|archive-date = 8 December 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191208130016/http://www.lasy.gov.pl/pl/informacje/kampanie_i_akcje/zubryonline|url-status = live}}</ref> Productive breeding years are between four and 20 years of age in females, and only between six and 12 years of age in males.

===Diet===
European bison feed predominantly on grasses, although they also browse on [[Shoot (botany)|shoot]]s and leaves; in summer, an adult male can consume 32&nbsp;kg of food in a day.<ref name=BSG>{{cite book|title=European Bison Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan|year=2004|publisher=IUCN/SSC Bison Specialist Group|location=Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.|author=Pucek, Z.|author2=Belousova, I.P.|author3=Krasiñska, M.|author4=Krasiñski, Z.A.|author5=Olech, W.|name-list-style=amp}}</ref> European bison in the Białowieża Forest in Poland have traditionally been fed hay in the winter for centuries, and large herds may gather around this diet supplement.<ref name=BSG /> European bison need to drink every day, and in winter can be seen breaking ice with their heavy hooves.<ref name=UU>{{cite web|title=Ultimate Ungulate|url=http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Bison_bonasus.html|author=Brent Huffman|access-date=18 June 2006|archive-date=26 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226095419/http://www.ultimateungulate.com/artiodactyla/bison_bonasus.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Differences from American bison===
[[File:Euroameribison.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|Skulls of European bison (left) and American bison (right)]]
Although superficially similar, a number of physical and behavioural differences are seen between the European bison and the American bison. The bison has 14 pairs of ribs, while the American bison has 15.<ref>''The Penny Cyclopædia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge'' by Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (Great Britain), published by C. Knight, 1835</ref> 
[[File:European bison (bison bonasus) in Tallinn Zoo, Estonia (2023 March).jpg|thumb|European bison has a lankier body than the American bison ([[Tallinn Zoo]], Estonia, 2023 March)]]
Adult European bison are (on average) taller than American bison, and have longer legs.<ref>''Trophy Bowhunting: Plan the Hunt of a Lifetime and Bag One for the Record Books'', by Rick Sapp, Edition: illustrated, published by Stackpole Books, 2006, {{ISBN|0-8117-3315-7}}, 978-0-8117-3315-1</ref> European bison tend to [[Browsing (predation)|browse]] more, and [[Grazing|graze]] less than their American relatives; to accommodate this their necks are set differently. Compared to the American bison, the nose of the European bison is set further forward than the forehead when the neck is in a neutral position.

The body of the wisent is less hairy, though its tail is hairier than that of the American species. The horns of the European bison point forward through the plane of their faces, making them more adept at fighting through the interlocking of horns in the same manner as domestic cattle, unlike the American bison, which favours charging.<ref>''American Bison: A Natural History'', By Dale F. Lott, Harry W. Greene, ebrary, Inc., Contributor Harry W. Greene, Edition: illustrated, Published by University of California Press, 2003 {{ISBN|0-520-24062-6}}, 978-0-520-24062-9</ref> European bison are less tameable than the American ones, and breed with domestic cattle less readily.<ref>''Zoologist: A Monthly Journal of Natural History'', By Edward Newman, James Edmund Harting, Published by J. Van Voorst, 1859</ref>

The European bison is less shaggy, with a more lanky body shape.<ref name="Rewilding Europe 2014">{{cite web | title=Bison Rewilding Plan | website=Rewilding Europe | date=17 May 2014 | url=https://rewildingeurope.com/rewilding-in-action/wildlife-comeback/bison/ | access-date=5 March 2023 | archive-date=5 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305074521/https://rewildingeurope.com/rewilding-in-action/wildlife-comeback/bison/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

In terms of behavioural capability, European bison runs slower and with less stamina yet jumps higher and longer than American bisons, showing signs of more developed adaptations into mountainous habitats.<ref name=WWFRussia />