What anatomical feature supports the wood bison's sweeping motion to uncover buried forage in winter?
Answer
A complex of ligaments and muscles supporting the forward-reaching hump structure.
The ability to access forage under deep snow is facilitated by a highly specialized musculoskeletal system concentrated in the neck and shoulder region. The characteristic, distinct hump visible on the wood bison's back is not merely an accumulation of fat; rather, it is supported by a robust collection of ligaments and muscles. This complex structure is specifically evolved to power the forceful, forward-reaching, and sweeping motions required to effectively displace deep snowdrifts. This mechanism ensures the bison can reach the buried graminoids, although this demanding physical exertion results in a massive expenditure of limited winter energy reserves.
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