Where are Bison found in the wild?

Bison thrive on the vast grasslands and prairies of North America, particularly in areas like the Great Plains and national parks such as Yellowstone. These open spaces provide plenty of grass and plants for them to graze on, making it a tasty and exciting home for these amazing animals!

Bison

Explore the mighty grazers of the American plains!

The Basics

Scientific Name

Bison bison

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Location

North America

Average size

6 to 11.5 feet long

diet

Grass, plants, shoots

lifespan

12 to 20 years

Let’s Explore

Overview

Bison are magnificent creatures that roam the grasslands of North America. These sturdy mammals can grow to be between 1.8 to 3.5 meters (6 to 11.5 feet) long, making them one of the largest land mammals on the continent.
Bison belong to the scientific class Mammalia and share their family, Bovidae, with animals like cows and goats. They have thick fur, a massive build, and a distinctive hump on their backs that makes them look like they have a hair-raising hairstyle!
Bison are herbivores, meaning they munch on grass, plants, and shoots to fuel their big bodies. With their powerful bodies, they can consume around 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of food in a single day. Talk about a tasty buffet!
These gentle giants can live for 12 to 20 years in the wild. They often travel in herds, which helps them stay safe from predators and socialize with other bison.

Where can you find a Bison in the wild?

What does a Bison eat?

How big can a Bison grow?

How long does a Bison typically live?

What is the conservation status of the Bison?

What are the main threats to the Bison?

wowzerful facts

Bison can jump surprisingly high for such large animals. They can leap up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) in the air, which helps them navigate over obstacles in their path!

The thick fur of bison acts like a warm winter coat. In the cold months, their fur can get so thick that it helps keep them comfortable even when the temperature drops to -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit)!

Bison have an interesting social hierarchy. Within a herd, there's a leader who helps the group make decisions, like which direction to move in while searching for food.

A bison's sense of smell is incredibly powerful. They can detect scents from up to a kilometer (0.6 miles) away, helping them find food and stay safe from predators!

Bison have unique communication skills. They use grunts, snorts, and even body language to express their feelings and share information with one another.

Bison are strong swimmers. They can paddle through water and have been known to cross rivers during their migrations without a second thought!

Bison use their massive heads to dig through snow in winter. Their powerful necks help move large amounts of snow aside to reach the grass hidden beneath.

A young bison calf can run within just a few hours after birth. This quick ability helps them keep up with the herd and stay safe from predators!

Bison are known for their impressive strength. They can run at speeds of up to 56 kilometers per hour (35 miles per hour), making them quite fast for creatures of their size!

Bison are important for their habitat. As they graze, they help maintain the grasslands, allowing new plants to grow and providing food for other animals.