What metric generally distinguishes wood bison from plains bison (Bison bison bison)?
Answer
Wood bison average about 15% heavier.
The size differential between the two North American subspecies is a key distinction. Wood bison are generally recognized as being larger and heavier than the plains bison. Specifically, the text indicates that wood bison average approximately 15% greater mass compared to their southern counterparts. This increased bulk is often theorized to be an adaptation related to Bergmann’s rule, suggesting that larger body size in colder climates aids in the generation and retention of essential body heat necessary for survival in harsh northern conditions.
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