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.
Still, the name ‘buffalo’ is commonly used when referring to American bison and is typically accepted.
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. Bison also need to find water every day.
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.
Calves are nursed for up to 8 months and are fully independent by 1 year of age. Male bison do not participate in the upbringing of the calves.
American bison live about 10-20 years in the wild.
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.
Although an ongoing conservation program has resulted in modest increases in their population, the American bison is currently classified as near threatened by IUCN’s Red List.
What You Can Do to Help
You can help in their preservation by adopting a bison via the Defenders of Wildlife or donating toward the purchase of prairie land for reserves at the American Prairie Foundation.
American Bison Range / Habitat
Herds of American bison roam patches of protected land throughout the plains of the United States and Canada.
Other American Bison Resources
- American Prairie Foundation
- American Bison Society
- Wind Cave National Park
- University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
- Defenders of Wildlife
- U.S. Department of the Interior: “15 Facts about our National Mammal: The American Bison”
More Bison Stuff from Animal Fact Guide
Quick Fact Sheet
Common Name(s): American Bison, American Buffalo
Scientific Name: Bison bison
Animal Type: mammal
Size: 1.8 m (6 ft.) tall at the hump
Weight: 900 kg (2000 lb.)
Lifespan: 10-20 years
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
