Ancient Bison
Bison antiquus
Eukaryota
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Artiodactyla
Bovidae
Bison (Bos)
Herbivore
7.4 ft
3500 lbs
15 ft
4
fur
Brown, Red-brown
Earth
North America
Prairies, Deserts, Mountains, Taiga
Critically Endangered (de-extinct)
American Lion, Saber-toothed Cats, Wolves, Short-faced Bear
American Bison, Long-horned Bison, Western Bison
8,000 BCE
The Ancient Bison (Bison antiquus) is a species of Bison that lived across North America. It went extinct around 8,000 BCE but was brought back to life via cloning and temporal dislocation technologies by the Greene Foundation in the early 2010s.
Description
Ancient Bison are taller, have larger bones and horns, and are 15-25% larger overall than the American Bison. It can reach up to 7.4 ft tall, 15 ft long, and a weight of 3,501 lbs. From tip to tip, the horns of an Ancient Bison measure about 3 ft.
Ecology
The Ancient Bison is a typical grazer as are the other species of Bison, eating grasses and herbaceous plants. Behaviorally they are also extremely similar, being migratory and mostly active during the day.
about 300 Ancient Bison have been released across North America in protected areas.
The Ancient Bison released into the wild in places like Yellowstone National Park and the Great Plains have so far not been observed fighting or crossbreeding with the native American Bison in the areas. Though the two species can often be seen together, alongside the Long-horned and Western Bison, forming large herds to possibly to protect themselves from predators like American Lions, Saber-toothed Cats and Wolves.
Conservation
Ancient Bison are publicly displayed at the Maple Hills Zoo, Columbus Zoo, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Bronx Zoo