largest continent on the planet - Europe.It is rich in a variety of beautiful landscapes, extraordinary plants and amazing wildlife.But some residents of the area are on the verge of extinction.For example, the European bison - the animal Red Book of the first category.
Description animal
Bison belong to the genus bison.In appearance they resemble huge and powerful bulls.It is believed that the largest animal in Europe is the European bison.The weight of this animal can sometimes reach up to 1,000 kg, and the withers they grow up to two meters.Females are much smaller than males.Build bison powerful enough.Its front part of the body is much more massive and bigger than the rear.It is worth mentioning that these huge animals in Europe are very fast, and their gallop seems easy.They are able to jump over the barrier height of two meters.
Bison differ withers, which resembles a hump and a long thick mane and beard.The animal has a short but thick and sharp horns.The most developed of the senses - smell, and hear it.At the same time they do not see very well.It should be noted that it is a powerful and the largest animal in Europe is in danger, bison endangered.Its future depends entirely on how people react to it.
Habitat
Many years ago, bison inhabited the predominant part of Europe.They inhabited the forest and deciduous forest.But gradually ousted the development of human animal in virgin forests.Also, people were hunting animals for "sport" of interest.In the eastern part of the European bison disappeared in the XVII century.Today he lives in the reserves in the North Caucasus and in central Europe.
Life bison
These animals live in herds in Europe.But they change the number depending on the time of year.In winter, bison are combined into larger groups in which there are a hundred or more individuals.By spring, they are divided into small herds of 10-15 animals.In such a family there are several adult females and young males that have not yet reached puberty.These communities join the bulls are ready to mate, they usually kept separate from other males.In 3-4 years, females are ready to bring the first offspring.Bulls begin to start seed in 5-6 years.Ghosn continues from August to October.In May and June there offspring.Usually, the female bears one calf.In exceptional cases, the two are born baby.In the nursery and zoo animals brings offspring each year.Free pregnancy occurs every two years.These animals have a settled life in Europe, but the young bulls can sometimes wander.The female bison live up to 24 years, males slightly smaller - to 20. Among them can meet long-lived, sometimes females lived to 28 years.
Power bison
as food bison choose grass, leaves, twigs and bark.Their diet can include about 400 different species of plants.But, of course, in their diet is dominated by only the vegetation that grows in areas of bison habitat.During cold weather, these animals visit salt licks and use artificial feeding.For grazing bison choose the evening and morning hours.At lunchtime, the animals in the forest rest up and chew the cud.If the weather is sultry, they visit a watering twice a day.
Bears
But bison - is not the only animals in Europe, which have a huge size and impressive appearance.The brown bear is ranked as the most dangerous land animals.It inhabits the beast in Russia.But it can be found in Finland, Scandinavia and Asia.This animal is a predatory mammal.It has a powerful physique.The largest representatives live in Kamchatka.In these places, the animal's weight ranges from 500 - 1000 kg.Adult males and a half times larger than females.Their ears and tail are small, massive paws to have retractable claws, reaching 10 centimeters.It may be noted that the bear is standing safely on its hind legs.The coat of the animal is very thick.
bear - an animal prefers to live in the forest and dense forests.Sometimes he can go into the tundra.The animal is trying to choose a place for a den in old forests, which are around moss bogs.Deep in the forest, he is looking for a mountain of firewood or a large stump to prepare for hibernation.Brown Bears - omnivorous.They eat leaves from trees, and long may graze in the meadow, tearing the grass.Bear loves treats such as nuts and berries.In addition, this beast is known for its fishing skills.And sometimes he does not give up, even from falling.
Los
In Europe live animal moose.This large animal in this area is second only in size bison, but large males may even surpass it.In the withers it grows to 230 centimeters.The weight of an adult up to 570 kilograms, the female is much smaller - 400 kg.The front part of the body above the back, head extended, the nose has a distinctive hump.At the bottom of the neck at the moose has folds, called "earring."The legs of the animal is very long, and compared them with the body does not seem so big.In males, starting from the second year of life, grow antlers.Each year, close to the winter they throw them, but in early spring antlers grow again.In August, you can watch moose since grown horns.Every year the horns processes become more branches and are spatulate.But in his old age, they again are similar to pipes.These animals poorly developed vision, so they rely on hearing and sense of smell.
Moose are very cautious and even fearful.But if in the area behind them do not hunt or chase, these animals begin to trust people and may even go into the city.
