Giants and Dwarfs

The plants of the Białowieża Forest presented in the previous episode are the basis of life for forest animals, especially herbivores. The largest of them are the "imperial forests", as Adam Mickiewicz called bison. In the summer, they live in small groups, and in the winter they gather in larger herds, where, depending on gender, age and condition, they occupy an appropriate position. The leader of the herd is usually the oldest and most experienced female bison. Apart from humans, bison have almost no natural enemies. The rolling and rubbing observed in the film is a daily ritual, conducive to maintaining hygiene. The dense shag hairs of bison are a favorite habitat for parasites. The bison menu consists of about one hundred and forty species of plants, the majority of which are herbs and grasses. Smaller herbivores include wild boar, although it also eats insects, rodents, chicks, even carrion.