How does the head shape of the Wood Bison compare to the Plains Bison?
Answer
More massive, squarer face
When distinguishing between the two closely related subspecies, the Wood Bison (*B. b. athabascae*) exhibits several key morphological differences from the Plains Bison (*B. b. bison*). One significant distinction relates to cranial structure; the Wood Bison possesses a head that is described as being more massive and having a squarer facial profile. This contributes to their overall rugged silhouette, especially when viewed alongside the Plains Bison, which is noted as having a less massive face. This massive head often appears to hang relatively low when the animal is moving slowly or grazing.
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