The American bison is a large hoofed mammal (or ungulate) that inhabits the plains of the United States and Canada. Standing at 1.8 m (6 ft.) tall and weighing up to 900 kg (2000 lb.), it is the largest land mammal in North America.
Male bison are slightly larger than females. But both the male and female bison have a sizable head with small curved horns and a scraggly beard.
Although bison have few natural predators because of their size, wolves, mountain lions and bears do attack the very young or very old bison.
In some areas, people legally hunt bison or raise them for their meat and hides. There are, however, some protected herds that reside in national parks and reserves.
Tail Up?
Did you know you can tell a bison’s mood by their tail? When the tail is down, they are calm. But if you see their tail up, watch out! They are about to charge.
And don’t be fooled into thinking bison are slow due to their large size. Bison can run up to 56 km/h (35 mph)!
Are Bison and Buffalo the Same Thing?
Though often called a buffalo, the American bison is not closely related to the water buffalo or the African buffalo, which are the only true buffaloes in the world. The American bison is more closely related to cows and goats.
What American Bison Eat
Bison are herbivores, feeding on the grasses of the prairie land all year round. They will generally rest during the day and graze in the mornings and evenings.
Family Life
During the mating season (June to September), male bison will use their large heads to butt each other in attempts to gain the attention of females.
In April or May of the following year, the female gives birth to a single calf.
Newborn calves have a reddish, light brown coat and lack the distinctive hump of the adult bison. They begin turning brown and developing the hump after a few months.
Conservation Status
The American bison was once the symbol of the Great Plains. Vast herds roamed from Canada to Mexico providing food, clothing, and tools to the native people. From a population that numbered in the millions, American bison dwindled to near extinction, driven there by American settlers.
