By what approximate percentage are wood bison typically heavier than plains bison?
Answer
Fifteen percent heavier.
A primary quantitative difference used to distinguish between the wood bison and the plains bison subspecies revolves around body mass. The text explicitly states that, when comparing the two groups, the wood bison, recognized as the larger subspecies, averages approximately 15% heavier than the plains bison. This increased mass is likely an evolutionary advantage in colder climates, adhering to principles like Bergmann’s rule, where greater body size aids in the generation and effective retention of necessary core body heat throughout the frigid northern seasons.
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