European Bison
Europe
The European bison is the largest land animal in Europe. It once disappeared completely from the wild, but people worked hard to bring it back. It has a sturdy body and curly brown fur.
Quick facts
- Habitat
- It lives in Europe's big forests and meadows.
- Diet
- It eats grass, leaves, and acorns.
- Size and weight
- Height 1.8–2m, weight 400–920kg.
- Lifespan
- About 20 years
- Conservation status
- Near Threatened
- Fun facts
- It went extinct in the wild in 1927, but it made a comeback!
Every European bison alive today descends from just 12 animals.
Learn more
The great shaggy chief ruling Europe's forests, the European Bison
A miraculous animal that overcame the brink of extinction
Europe's heaviest wild animal
Giant of the forest — a basic profile of the European bison
- Growing up to 920kg, it's the largest land mammal in Europe.
- It boasts a massive frame, standing up to 2.1m at the shoulder.
- A peaceful herbivore, it eats 32kg of grass and leaves a day.
How is it different from the American bison?
They look similar, but these two cousins have distinct traits
European bison vs American bison
- The European bison has longer, sleeker legs, while the American bison has a very thick, heavy back.
- The European bison has relatively short head hair, while the American bison has a shaggy, long forelock and beard.
- The European bison's horns point forward, good for fighting in forests, while the American bison's horns curve upward.
A peaceful herd led by a female chief
The European bison's unique matriarchal society
- An experienced older female leads the herd's movement and feeding.
- Usually 8–13 females and their young gather into a small family herd.
- Mature males roam around the herd, protecting the family from threats.
A miracle that began with just 12 animals
A great survival story, returning from the brink of extinction
- After 1927 — poaching and habitat destruction drove wild European bison to complete extinction.
- 12 animals — the only 12 individuals remaining in zoos became the ancestors of every European bison alive today.
- Over 9,000 — thanks to restoration efforts, more than 9,000 now roam free in nature.
A forest buffet that changes with the seasons
A varied diet for survival
- In summer, it mainly enjoys fresh grass, herbs, and tender leaves.
- In winter, it breaks through ice with its heavy hooves and gets by on bark and dry twigs.
- By evenly consuming a variety of forest plants like moss, ferns, and mushrooms, it helps the forest's vegetation thrive.
A forest hero fighting the climate crisis
How can an animal absorb carbon?
- As bison graze and trample the ground, they act as excellent gardeners, helping more plants grow in forests and grasslands.
- Recent research shows that bison activity boosts a grassland's carbon-storage ability by as much as 10 times.
- Restoring wildlife is one of the best and most natural solutions to solving climate change.