Difference between revisions of "Bovid" - New World Encyclopedia
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Bovids are members of the Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulate) order. As such they walk on the third and fourth toes of each foot, which are covered and protected by hoofs — specialized claws. Standing on their toes has the effect of lengthening their legs, which gives them greater quickness and speed in running and jumping and lets them hold their heads higher above the ground to better watch out for predators (Huffman 2007). | Bovids are members of the Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulate) order. As such they walk on the third and fourth toes of each foot, which are covered and protected by hoofs — specialized claws. Standing on their toes has the effect of lengthening their legs, which gives them greater quickness and speed in running and jumping and lets them hold their heads higher above the ground to better watch out for predators (Huffman 2007). | ||
| − | In general bovids are [[herbivorous]], eating [[plant]]s; a few are [[omnivorous]] and eat small animals, carrion, and insects as well as plants. All bovids are ruminants, which means that they have a four-chambered stomach which allows them to digest foods that are too low in nutriment for many other animals, notably [[grass]]es and the [[leaf|leaves]] of [[tree]]s and bushes. No animal is able to directly digest [[cellulose]], the material of plant [[cell (biology)|cell]] walls; ruminants rely their [[symbiosis|symbiotic]] relationship with [[bacteria]] and other micro-organisms in their first stomach, | + | In general bovids are [[herbivorous]], eating [[plant]]s; a few are [[omnivorous]] and eat small animals, carrion, and insects as well as plants. All bovids are ruminants, which means that they have a four-chambered stomach which allows them to digest foods that are too low in nutriment for many other animals, notably [[grass]]es and the [[leaf|leaves]] of [[tree]]s and bushes. No animal is able to directly digest [[cellulose]], the material of plant [[cell (biology)|cell]] walls; ruminants rely their [[symbiosis|symbiotic]] relationship with [[bacteria]] and other micro-organisms in their first stomach, called the rumen, to break down cellulose by fermentation. Because of the size and weight of their complex digestive systems, many bovids have a solid, stocky build; the more gracile (slender) members of the family tend to have more selective diets, and be browsers rather than grazers. The fermentation taking place in the rumen generates heat and can help the animal keep warm in cold weather (Lott 2002). |
| − | + | Bovids have large molars for chewing their food. Their canine teeth are either missing or else modified to act as extra incisors. | |
| + | |||
| + | In all bovid species at least the males, and in many the females as well, have horns on their heads. A bovid horn consists of a bony protrusion covered in a sheath of [[keratin]], a material found in skin, hair, and claws. Some other hoofed animals also have horns, but they differ from bovid horns. [[Deer]], the second largest ungulate family, have antlers which are solid bone and are shed and regrown each year. The pronghorn of North America differs from bovids by shedding the keratin sheaths of its horns each year. The horns of giraffes are bumps of cartilage covered by skin. The horns of rhinoceroses are formed of compacted hair. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The horns of some bovid species are used to fight, and sometimes kill, predators such as [[wolf|wolves]] and [[lion]]s. However in most species the main use of the horns is in fighting between males for dominance and the right to mate with females. In many species the horns of the males are curved or spiraled which reduces the danger in these conflicts. Often dominance is established merely by the size of one animal's horns without a fight having to take place. The horns of males are also thought to be attractive to females by showing the good health and maturity of their bearer. Some bovids use their horns to dig for food or to pull down tree branches to eat the leaves (Voelker 1986). Horns can also help an animal keep cool in hot weather since blood is circulated through them and can shed heat by radiation (Rath 1998). | ||
| + | |||
| + | Almost all bovids are social animals and live in groups, called herds or flocks. Groups can range in size from small family groups to herds of many thousands, or even millions in species such as the wildebeest and the American bison. Smaller groups are often lead by a mature animal, either male or female. | ||
==Subfamilies== | ==Subfamilies== | ||
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*Lott, D.F. 2002. ''American Bison''. Berkeley, California, USA : University of California Press | *Lott, D.F. 2002. ''American Bison''. Berkeley, California, USA : University of California Press | ||
*Nowak, R. M. and J. L. Paradiso. 1983. ''Walker's Mammals of the World''. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801825253 | *Nowak, R. M. and J. L. Paradiso. 1983. ''Walker's Mammals of the World''. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801825253 | ||
| + | *Rath, S. 1998. ''The Complete Cow''. Stillwater, Minnesota, USA: Voyageur Press. ISBN 0896583759. | ||
*Voelker, W. 1986. ''The Natural History of Living Mammals''. Medford, New Jersey: Plexus Publishing, Inc. ISBN 0937548081 | *Voelker, W. 1986. ''The Natural History of Living Mammals''. Medford, New Jersey: Plexus Publishing, Inc. ISBN 0937548081 | ||
Revision as of 18:42, 31 January 2007
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 American Bison | ||||||||||
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Bovinae |
A bovid is any of almost 140 species of ungulates, hoofed mammals, belonging to the family Bovidae. The bovids are the largest family of hoofed mammals and are native to Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. Members include antelope, bison, buffalo, cattle, sheep, and goats.
Biology
The largest bovids, for instance the bison, can weigh over 1000 kg (2200 lbs) and stand 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall at the shoulder; the smallest weigh about 3 kg (7 lbs) and stand no taller than a large domestic cat.
Bovids are members of the Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulate) order. As such they walk on the third and fourth toes of each foot, which are covered and protected by hoofs — specialized claws. Standing on their toes has the effect of lengthening their legs, which gives them greater quickness and speed in running and jumping and lets them hold their heads higher above the ground to better watch out for predators (Huffman 2007).
In general bovids are herbivorous, eating plants; a few are omnivorous and eat small animals, carrion, and insects as well as plants. All bovids are ruminants, which means that they have a four-chambered stomach which allows them to digest foods that are too low in nutriment for many other animals, notably grasses and the leaves of trees and bushes. No animal is able to directly digest cellulose, the material of plant cell walls; ruminants rely their symbiotic relationship with bacteria and other micro-organisms in their first stomach, called the rumen, to break down cellulose by fermentation. Because of the size and weight of their complex digestive systems, many bovids have a solid, stocky build; the more gracile (slender) members of the family tend to have more selective diets, and be browsers rather than grazers. The fermentation taking place in the rumen generates heat and can help the animal keep warm in cold weather (Lott 2002).
Bovids have large molars for chewing their food. Their canine teeth are either missing or else modified to act as extra incisors.
In all bovid species at least the males, and in many the females as well, have horns on their heads. A bovid horn consists of a bony protrusion covered in a sheath of keratin, a material found in skin, hair, and claws. Some other hoofed animals also have horns, but they differ from bovid horns. Deer, the second largest ungulate family, have antlers which are solid bone and are shed and regrown each year. The pronghorn of North America differs from bovids by shedding the keratin sheaths of its horns each year. The horns of giraffes are bumps of cartilage covered by skin. The horns of rhinoceroses are formed of compacted hair.
The horns of some bovid species are used to fight, and sometimes kill, predators such as wolves and lions. However in most species the main use of the horns is in fighting between males for dominance and the right to mate with females. In many species the horns of the males are curved or spiraled which reduces the danger in these conflicts. Often dominance is established merely by the size of one animal's horns without a fight having to take place. The horns of males are also thought to be attractive to females by showing the good health and maturity of their bearer. Some bovids use their horns to dig for food or to pull down tree branches to eat the leaves (Voelker 1986). Horns can also help an animal keep cool in hot weather since blood is circulated through them and can shed heat by radiation (Rath 1998).
Almost all bovids are social animals and live in groups, called herds or flocks. Groups can range in size from small family groups to herds of many thousands, or even millions in species such as the wildebeest and the American bison. Smaller groups are often lead by a mature animal, either male or female.
Subfamilies
- ORDER ARTIODACTYLA: even-toed ungulates
- Suborder Ruminantia: ruminants
- Family Bovidae
- Subfamily Bovinae: cattle, buffalo, bison, and spiral-horned antelopes, 24 species in 9 genera
- Subfamily Cephalophinae: duikers, 19 species in 2 genera
- Subfamily Hippotraginae: grazing antelopes, 6 species in 5 genera
- Subfamily Antilopinae: gazelles, dwarf antelopes and the saiga, 38 species in 14 genera
- Subfamily Caprinae: sheep, goats, 26 species in 12 genera
- Subfamily Reduncinae: reedbucks, lechwe, 8 species in 2 genera
- Subfamily Aepycerotinae: impala, 1 species in 1 genus
- Subfamily Peleinae: rhebok, 1 species in 1 genus
- Subfamily Alcelaphinae: wildebeest, topi/tsessebe, 7 species in 4 genera
- Subfamily Panthalopinae: Chiru
- Family Bovidae
- Suborder Ruminantia: ruminants
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Huffman, B. 2007. The Ultimate Ungulate Page Website [1] Retrieved January 24, 2007.
- Lott, D.F. 2002. American Bison. Berkeley, California, USA : University of California Press
- Nowak, R. M. and J. L. Paradiso. 1983. Walker's Mammals of the World. Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801825253
- Rath, S. 1998. The Complete Cow. Stillwater, Minnesota, USA: Voyageur Press. ISBN 0896583759.
- Voelker, W. 1986. The Natural History of Living Mammals. Medford, New Jersey: Plexus Publishing, Inc. ISBN 0937548081
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