Texas Longhorn and American Bison Poster

"Texas Longhorn and American Bison" by Catherine Sherman An American bison and a Texas longhorn cow, icons of the Old West of America, hang out together at a children's zoo. The American bison (bison bison) and the European wisent are the largest terrestrial animals in North America and Europe. Bison are good swimmers and can cross rivers over half a mile (1 km) wide. Bison are also fast runners, and can run up to 35 miles an hour. The Texas Longhorn is a breed of cattle known for its characteristic horns, which can extend to over 70 inches (1.8 m) tip to tip for bulls, and up to 100 inches (2.54 m) tip to tip for steers and exceptional cows. They are descendants of the first cattle in the New World, brought by Christopher Columbus and the Spanish colonists, and have a high drought-stress tolerance. Texas Longhorns are known for their diverse colouring, and can be any colour or mix of colours, but dark red and white colour mixes are the most dominant. Over the next two centuries the Spanish moved the cattle north, arriving in the area that would become Texas near the end of the 17th century. The cattle escaped or were turned loose on the open range, where they remained mostly feral for the next two centuries. Over several generations, descendants of these cattle evolved high feed- and drought-stress tolerance and other "hardy" characteristics that have gained Longhorns reputation. They are intelligent and gentle.