The American bison is the largest terrestrial animal in North America. They have a robust body with a large head and a pronounced hump over the shoulders.
Size: Males (bulls) can weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kg), and females (cows) weigh up to 1,000 pounds (450 kg).
Height: Up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) at the shoulders.
Coat: Dense, shaggy hair that is dark brown in color, which thickens during winter.
Horns: Both males and females have short, curved horns that they use for defense and fighting during the mating season.
Known Range:
Historically, bison roamed throughout most of North America, from the grasslands of Mexico to the forests of Alaska.
Today, they are primarily found in national parks and reserves, such as Yellowstone National Park, the National Bison Range in Montana, and Elk Island National Park in Canada.
Diet:
Bison are herbivores, primarily grazing on grasses, sedges, and other plant materials.
Their diet varies seasonally, with an increased intake of woody plants and forbs during the winter when grasses are scarce.
Breeding:
Bison reach sexual maturity at around 2-3 years of age.
Breeding Season: Known as the rut, typically occurs between July and September.
Gestation Period: About 9.5 months.
Calving: Most calves are born in late spring or early summer. Calves are reddish-brown at birth and begin to darken to the characteristic bison brown within a few months.
Lifecycle:
Calves: Calves stay with their mothers for about one year before becoming more independent.
Juveniles: Young bison remain within the herd, learning social structures and survival skills.
Adults: Bison can live up to 20 years in the wild. They are social animals, typically living in herds segregated by sex, with bulls often forming bachelor groups outside of the breeding season.
Conservation Status: The American bison is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, with ongoing conservation efforts focused on habitat restoration and population management.
