American Bison

Bison are North America’s largest land animals.  They form very large herds numbering over 1,000 animals.  These large wild cattle are grazers meaning they eat grasses.  Their bodies can handle temperatures of 115 degrees above zero and 50 degrees below zero out on the prairie!

Physical Description

Bison are huge wild cattle with brownish to blackish fur and hide.  They can weigh 2,500 pounds and measure over 6 feet at the shoulder.  Adult animals have a thick wooly cape of fur from their heads and shoulders that reaches almost to their hind legs.  Males have a very large hump of muscle over their shoulders.  Both males and females have small horns that curve up.

Family Life

Mother bison have only 1 calf per year.  The calf is raised within a family group of adult females and other calves called a herd.  When danger is near the herd will group

Diet

Mostly grasses and some other plant matter