Scientific Classification
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Subfamily | Bovinae |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Genus | Bison |
| Scientific Name | Bison bison |
Other Names
American buffalo
American Bison Description
- The American bison is the largest living land animal in North America.
- During winter the bison takes on a dark brown shaggy coat.
- They can jump 6 ft (1.8 m) vertically.
- There are only 15,000 American bisons living in the wild.
Size & Weight
Adults:
- HEAD-BODY-LENGTH: 2 to 3.5 m (6.6 to 11.5 ft)
- WEIGHT: 318 to 1,000 kg (701 to 2,205 lb)
- TAIL: 30 to 91 cm (12 to 36 in)
- SHOULDER HEIGHT: 152 to 186 cm (60 to 73 in)
- HORNS LENGTH: 2 ft (61 cm)
Habitat
River valleys, prairies, plains, semiopen grasslands, sagebrush, scrubland, semiarid lands, boreal forest
Range
North America
Diet
Sedges, grasses
Subspecies
- Plains Bison
- Wood Bison
Reproduction
1 calf
Mating Period
August and September
Gestation Period
270 to 285 days
Weaning Period
7 – 12 months
Sexual Maturity
- 5 years (bull)
- 3 years (cow)
Population
500,000
Lifespan
- 15 years (wild)
- 25 years (captivity)
Speed
35-40 mph (56–64 km/h)
Predators
Wolves, grizzly bear
Group Name
Herd
Group Size
20 individuals
Behavior
Migratory
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
