AMERICAN BISON
QUICK FACTS
Scientific Name
Bison bison
Species Survival Plan
No
Habitat
Open grasslands and prairies
Predators
Wolf, grizzly bear, coyote and man
Food
Grasses and weeds
Originally Native To
North America
Height
78 inches at hump
Weight
Male 2,200 lb.
Female 1,100 lb.
Characteristics
Distinct hump over shoulders; short, curved and black horns
Gestation Period
9 - 9.5 months
Offspring
1 calf
Lifespan
Wild 15 - 20 years
Captivity 30 years
Social Behavior
Mixed-sex herds
ABOUT THE AMERICAN BISON
Bison or Buffalo?
“Buffalo” is the term used by most people to describe the American bison. The term buffalo is believed to be derived from a name given to bison by early French explorers.
Bison and buffalo are members of the cattle family. True buffaloes are the Cape buffalo in Africa and the Asian water buffalo. Bison are found only in North America and Europe.
An estimated 20-30 million bison once dominated the North American landscape, but habitat loss and unregulated shooting reduced the population to just 1,091 by 1889. As of 2019, approximately 500,000 bison live across North America.
However, most of these are not pure wild bison, but have been crossbred with cattle in the past, and are semi-domesticated after being raised as livestock for many generations on ranches. Fewer than 30,000 wild bison are in conservation herds and fewer than 5,000 are unfenced and disease-free.
On May 9, 2016, President Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act, making the bison our National Mammal. This was achieved through the efforts of the American Bison Coalition.
Bison are large, cow-like mammals with a distinct hump above their shoulders. The head, neck, shoulders and front legs are covered with shaggy hair, while the hind part of the body has short hair.
The head is heavy with short, curved and black horns. The tail is short, ending in a tuft of hair. The color of adults varies from light brown in summer to brownish-black in winter.
Bison calves average 35-50 pounds at birth and are normally reddish-brown, but some are black. Bison are unpredictable and can be very dangerous. While appearing slow and docile, they are agile and can run as fast as a horse.
MEET THE NEIGHBORS
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ANYTHING YOU GIVE HELPS THE ANIMALS
As a private nonprofit corporation, Fossil Rim does not receive national or state government support. Every cent spent or donated here goes in some way, directly or indirectly, toward the care of our animals.