The aurochs (Bos primigenius; / ˈ ɔː r ɒ k s / or / ˈ aʊ r ɒ k s /; pl.: aurochs or aurochsen) is an extinct species of bovine, considered to be the wild ancestor of modern domestic cattle.

Feb 24, 2025 · Aurochs, (Bos primigenius), extinct wild ox of Europe, family Bovidae (order Artiodactyla), from which cattle are probably descended. The aurochs survived in central Poland until 1627. The aurochs was black, stood 1.8 metres (6 feet) high at the shoulder, and had spreading, forward-curving horns.

Mar 31, 2025 · The last aurochs died in 1627 due to a few reasons, including habitat encroachment and domesticated cattle that humans had begun breeding from wild aurochs. Aurochs were the ancestors of modern cattle, and they roamed the earth until the 17th century, when they went extinct for a few different reasons.

Dec 4, 2022 · The Aurochs is a giant extinct species of wild ox that was once found in Asia, Europe and North Africa. They are believed to be the ancestors of the domestic cattle. In modern day cattle, a lot of the breeds share Aurochs’ characteristics.

Dec 12, 2024 · All we know for certain is that cattle came from aurochs, their larger, fiercer, extinct wild ancestor. In a new study of ancient aurochs genomes published in Nature, Sinding and other...

May 27, 2024 · The aurochs were a species of wild bovines that once roamed a vast swath of territory throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Resembling oversized cattle , this species used to be one of the most widespread grazing animals on the planet thousands of years ago.

The Aurochs ranged from open savannah-like landscapes to marshes, forests and lower mountains and was able to fill in most ecological niches encountered in Europe. Grown up Aurochs could hold their ground against big predators such as wolves.

How aurochs can save ecosystems: a keystone species. The research teams behind this bold move to revive this extinct bovine believe aurochs can prevent the loss of habitats and positively affect biodiversity in Europe.

Aurochs skeleton in Denmark. The aurochs, [1] or urus, (Bos primigenius) was a large species of cattle. The aurochs used to be common in Europe. It is extinct now. [2] It was a wild animal, not a domesticated animal. The extinct aurochs/urus is a not the same species as the wisent (the European bison). [3]