American Bison
North America
The American bison is the largest land animal in North America. Its big head, thick brown coat, and sturdy shoulders are hard to miss. Tens of millions once roamed the Great Plains, making it a symbol of North America.
Quick facts
- Habitat
- It lives on the prairies and plains of North America.
- Diet
- It's a plant-eater that eats grass and other plants.
- Size and weight
- Height 1.8m, weight 400–1,000kg.
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
- Conservation status
- Near Threatened
- Fun facts
- Despite its huge body, it can run at 50km/h!
In a snowstorm, it faces into the wind and stands its ground.
Learn more
The mighty guardian of the North American prairie
American Bison
The bison's super specs
- Up to 1,000kg — as heavy as half a car!
- Top speed 55km/h — even this big, they can run incredibly fast.
- Thick fur coat — keeps them warm through even the coldest winters.
Not a buffalo?
They're completely different from the 'buffalo' living in Asia and Africa!
- Bison
- Have a shoulder hump
- Have a beard
- Short, pointed horns
- Buffalo
- No hump
- Wide, mustache-shaped horns
Comparing with cousins across the sea
European bison are about 10cm bigger
- American bison — shorter legs, bigger build, very heavy.
- European bison — about 10cm bigger than American bison, with longer legs.
The great gardener of the grassland
- Bison gather in one place and graze the grass down very short.
- Magic happens as the grass grows back fresh — a 'reset' for spring!
- The newly grown, nutrient-rich grass becomes a great meal for other wild animals.
Back from the brink of extinction!
- Past — tens of millions of bison filled the prairies.
- Around 1900 — reckless hunting left fewer than 400.
- Today — thanks to national parks and dedicated conservation efforts, over 30,000 live in the wild.
Remember the bison's warning signs!
Behaviors to avoid when you encounter a wild bison
- When its tail curls upward
- When it paws the ground hard with its front legs
- When it shakes its head up and down vigorously (in this case, slowly back away at least 4.5m!)
The eternal guardian of the prairie
Our small but precious attention keeps the American bison safe.
