Aurochs
Aurochs in LOST ZOO
The aurochs have a sexual dimorphism not only in size but also in color. Bulls are larger and dark brown or black. Cows have a reddish-brown coat. Bothe sexes have a light-colored or whitish muzzle.
Because of its long, massive horns the front of aurochs is very broad. Their horns are characteristic in size, curvature and orientation. Both sexes have horns, but cows’ horns are slender.
Like many other wild cattle, aurochs formed herds for some months of the year. The herds probably did not number more than thirty animals.
First attempts to breed back the aurochs by a selective breeding program were undertaken in the German zoos in Berlin and Munich in the 1920ies.With the goal of increasing the aurochs-likeness of the so called Heck cattle, further back-breeding efforts were started since 1996. It is intended to bring in more aurochs-like features that are supposedly missing in Heck cattle.
The herbivore Aurochs live in the steppes and taigas as well as in the riparian zones and mixed forests of Europe, Asia and North Africa. Because of its wide distribution three subspecies evolved: the Indian, North African and Eurasian subspecies, which was one of the largest herbivores in Europe. It is the ancestor of all domestic taurine cattle. The Indian subspecies was domesticated into the zebu-like cattle and the Eurasian subspecies into all other cattle breeds.
The Indian subspecies became extinct about 4400 years ago and the North African subspecies in the early Middle Ages. Only the Eurasian subspecies survived because of its protection in East Europe until 1627, when the last female died a natural death.
Height at withers: 155-180 cm in bulls and 135-155 cm in cows, animals in the south of its wide distribution are smaller.
Body weight: about 700 kg (adult bull)
Horns: up to 80 cm in length and 10-20 cm in diameter
Habitat: In Europe marshy terrain, riparian zones and mixed forests. In summer time mainly a grazer and more a browser in winter time.
Extinction: Already 2500 years ago aurochs had disappeared from southern Greece. By the 13th century, the aurochs' range was restricted to North East Europe. In 1564 only 38 animals are still registered and in 1627 the last living aurochs died in Poland.
