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. Bison are currently located only on private ranches, in public parks or zoos in the United States.
Historically, population estimates ranged from 30-60 million. Bison were hunted extensively for their meat and skins, plus they were shot to protect livestock interests and to help subdue the Indians of the plains.
By 1890, only several hundred bison survived. As a result of private and governmental conservation efforts, more than 100,000 existed in 2015.
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
Wild Turkey
Wild turkeys are the largest North American game bird and the fowl that was Benjamin Franklin’s choice for America’s national bird. They are related to...
Read More
White-Tailed Deer
“White-tailed deer” refers to the white underside of the tail, which is held conspicuously erect like a flag when the animal is alarmed or running....
Read More
Texas Tortoise
The Texas tortoise is the smallest of four species of gopher tortoises found in the United States. They range from southern Texas into northeastern Mexico....
Read More
Sandhill Crane
Sandhill cranes have the longest migratory route of any crane at about 14,000 miles per roundtrip. They migrate along the Central Flyway from their wintering...
Read More
Red Wolf
The howl of the red wolf was once heard throughout the southeastern United States from Texas to Illinois, but now it has become a rarity....
Read More
Nine-Banded Armadillo
There are 20 types of armadillos in existence, but only the nine-banded armadillo is found in the United States where it first appeared about one...
Read More
Mexican Gray Wolf
Mexican gray wolves are the smallest of the gray wolf subspecies and the rarest wolf from this group as well. Adults typically weigh 60-80 pounds...
Read More
LaMancha Goat
American LaManchas were created in the 1930s by a woman named Eula F. Frey in Oregon. The Murciana, a Spanish goat breed originally crossed to...
Read More
Greater Roadrunner
The greater roadrunner, a ground cuckoo also known as the chaparral cock, is easily spotted by its distinctive appearance consisting of a black-and-white mottled feather...
Read More
Black-Tailed Jackrabbit
Jackrabbits are not rabbits; they are actually hares, which are larger than rabbits and generally have longer ears and hind legs. They are fast animals,...
Read More
Attwater’s Prairie Chicken
The Attwater’s prairie chicken (APC) is possibly the most endangered bird in North America. There are more whooping cranes than APCs. Only by protecting and...
Read More
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.