California bison (SciiFii)

The California bison (Bison bison californianus) is a subspecies of American bison (Bison bison), most closely related to the plains bison (Bison bison bison), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across California (hence its name), Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, and western Mexico to help boost biodiversity. The California bison has a shaggy, long, dark-brown winter coat, and a lighter-weight, slightly lighter-brown summer coat, which is darker and looser than those of the plains bison to help it loose more heat due to living in a warmer environment than plains bison. Male bison are significantly larger and heavier than females. Sexually mature young bulls may try to start mating with cows by the age of two or three years, but if more mature bulls are present, they may not be able to compete until they reach five years of age. For the first two months of life, calves are lighter in color than mature bison. A very rare condition is the white buffalo, in which the calf turns entirely white. Like all bison, the California bison are herbivores, grazing on the grasses and sedges of the Californian open woodlands and prairies. California bison are migratory and herd migrations can be directional as well as altitudinal in some areas. The herds of California bison can range from around 50 individuals to more than 300 individuals at a time, although reports of herds as high as 500 have been recorded. California bison have usual daily movements between foraging sites during the summer. Their daily schedule involves two-hour periods of grazing, resting, and cud chewing, then moving to a new location to graze again. California bison also drink water or consume snow on a daily basis, but in more arid environments, they can consume plants like melons and spineless cacti to obtain water. Female California bison live in maternal herds which include other females and their offspring. Male offspring leave their maternal herd when around three years old and either live alone or join other males in bachelor herds. Male and female herds usually do not mingle until the breeding season, which can occur from July through September. However, female herds may also contain a few older males. During the breeding season, dominant bulls maintain a small harem of females for mating. Individual bulls "tend" cows until allowed to mate, by following them around and chasing away rival males. The tending bull shields the female's vision with his body so she will not see any other challenging males. A challenging bull may bellow or roar to get a female's attention and the tending bull has to bellow/roar back. The most dominant bulls mate in the first 2–3 weeks of the season. More subordinate bulls mate with any remaining estrous cow that has not mated yet. Male bison play no part in raising the young. The conservation status of the California bison is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the California bison's wide range.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii