The European bison is the largest native herbivore in Europe. It has a dark- or reddish-brown coat, short, angular horns and a large, muscular hump between the shoulder blades. Adult males can grow to a height of 1.9 metres, reach a length of 3 metres and weigh up to 1000 kg. Due to its large size, the bison has a significant impact on its ecosystem, and has therefore been classified as a keystone species (defined as a species which plays a crucial role within an ecosystem and on which other species may depend for their survival). Its behaviours, including browsing and trampling, help to create a mosaic-type landscape high in biodiversity and resilient to climate change. |
