Pleistocene Bison Forefoot Replica

Description

Pleistocene bison forefoot replica measures 16.9 x 4.0 x 4.0 inches. The Bison antiquus forefoot is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast from cast from Idaho Musuem of Natural History specimen. 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The ancient bison is an extinct species that lived in North America until about 10,000 years ago. It was one of the most common large herbivores on the continent. This animal is a direct ancestor of the living American bison.

Long ago, the steppe moved from Siberia to Alaska across the land bridge. In western North America, this animal changed into the long-horned bison. That large beast then changed into the ancient bison. The bigger long-horned bison died out about 20,000 years ago.

After that, the ancient bison became very common across the continent. It eventually gave rise to the moder bison we see today. Experts find this species more than any other large plant-eater in the La Brea tar pits.

The ancient bison was much taller and had larger bones than modern bison. It grew up to 7.5 tall and 15 feet long. It weighed up to 3,500 pounds. Its horns measured about 3 feet from tip to tip.

People can see over 500 of these old skeletons at the Hudson-Meng archeological site in Nebraska. Workers found many ancient spear heads mixed with the bones at this location. These items prove that early humans hunted the great beasts.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Artiodactyla
• Family: Bovidae
• Subfamily: Bovinae
• Genus: Bison
• Species: †B. antiquus
• Binomial Name: †Bison antiquus
• Conservation status: Extinct

The Pleistocene bison forefoot pairs well with the giant bison fossil skull replica, the giant bison brain replica, the giant bison tooth replica and the bison antiquus skull replica for a complete educational exhibit that shows the amazing evolution and massive size of the prehistoric North American bison.