Aurochs

The Aurochs (Bos primigenius) is the ancestor to domesticated cattle. The last Aurochs survived in Europe until 1627. Measuring between 1.6-1.8 m at the shoulder for bulls, approximately 1.5 for cows and weighing up to 700kg they were larger than modern cattle breeds. Bulls were coloured a black brown with a pale eel stripe over the back, cows and calves were a reddish brown, this colouration is seen in some cattle breeds today. It's range once extended over the majority of Europe, parts of Asia and northern Africa.