American Bison
Bison bison
Quick answer
The American bison is North America's largest land mammal, with big bulls weighing up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) and standing nearly 2 m (6 ft) at the shoulder. Once numbering in the tens of millions across the Great Plains, bison were hunted nearly to extinction in the 1800s and now live mostly in parks and reserves. They are grazing herbivores that roam grasslands in herds and can run up to 55 km/h (35 mph). Wild bison typically live 15 to 20 years.
American Bison facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Bison bison |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore (grazer) |
| Habitat | Grasslands, plains, and prairies |
| Lifespan | 15–20 years in the wild |
| Weight | 450–1,000 kg (1,000–2,200 lb) |
| Top speed | Up to 55 km/h (35 mph) |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Genus | Bison |
Where it lives
Grasslands and plains of North America, now mostly in parks and reserves.
Behavior and herds
Bison are social animals that live in herds, with cows and young in one group and bulls often in smaller bachelor groups or alone outside the breeding season. During the summer rut, bulls bellow, wallow in dust, and clash heads to compete for mates. Despite their bulk, bison are surprisingly fast and agile, capable of sprinting at 55 km/h (35 mph) and jumping fences. They use wallows, shallow dust pits, to deter insects and shed fur.
Diet and grazing
Bison are grazing herbivores that feed mainly on grasses and sedges, moving across the plains as they crop vegetation. Their grazing shapes grassland ecosystems, promoting plant diversity and creating habitat for other species. They have a multi-chambered stomach that ferments tough plant material, and they ruminate, chewing cud, to extract nutrients. In winter they use their massive heads to sweep snow aside and reach buried grass.
History and near extinction
Before European settlement, an estimated 30 to 60 million bison roamed North America in vast herds. In the 1800s they were slaughtered on an enormous scale for hides, meat, and as part of efforts to displace Native American peoples, leaving only a few hundred animals by 1900. Conservation efforts, including protection in Yellowstone National Park, saved the species from extinction. Today bison are a powerful symbol of American wildlife and conservation.
Conservation today
The American bison is listed as Near Threatened, with around 500,000 animals, though most are managed in commercial herds rather than free-ranging wild populations. Genetically pure, conservation herds are far smaller and a focus of recovery efforts. Restoring bison to native grasslands helps rebuild prairie ecosystems. In 2016 the bison was named the national mammal of the United States.
Frequently asked questions about the American Bison
What is the difference between bison and buffalo?
True buffalo are the African Cape buffalo and Asian water buffalo, while the American animal is a bison. The name "buffalo" stuck through history but is technically incorrect.
What do bison eat?
Bison are grazing herbivores that feed mainly on grasses and sedges. They ruminate to digest tough plant material and can dig through snow to reach grass in winter.
Why did bison nearly go extinct?
In the 1800s bison were hunted on a massive scale for hides and meat and as part of policies against Native Americans, reducing tens of millions of animals to only a few hundred by 1900.
How fast can a bison run?
Despite weighing up to a tonne, bison can sprint at around 55 km/h (35 mph) and are agile enough to jump fences, making them far more dangerous to approach than they appear.
Are bison dangerous?
Yes. Bison are wild and unpredictable, and they injure people who get too close, especially in parks. They are fast, powerful, and best viewed from a safe distance.
How long do bison live?
Wild bison typically live 15 to 20 years, and some reach their early twenties. Cows often live longer than bulls, which are worn down by competition during the rut.
