# American Bison (*Bison bison*) The American Bison is a big, strong animal that roams the grasslands. They have thick fur and are known for their large heads and curved horns. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 26 - **Habitat:** Plains and grasslands - **Also known as:** Buffalo, Plains Bison ![American Bison](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426520/objects/4493.jpg) ## Appearance The American Bison is a large, sturdy mammal with a distinctive shaggy dark brown to black coat, especially on its head and shoulders. It has a prominent hump over its shoulders and short, curved horns, making it visually distinct from other bovine species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Bison ## Interesting facts - Baby bison, called 'red dogs', are born with reddish-orange fur! - Bison communicate with grunts, snorts, and even loud roars! - Bison love to rub against trees and rocks to scratch their itchy backs! - Their humped backs are supported by extra-long spines! ## Special abilities - **Winter Coat Wonder:** American Bison has an incredibly thick, insulating winter coat that helps them survive harsh, freezing temperatures on the open plains. - **Powerful Plow:** American Bison can use their massive heads to plow through deep snow, helping them uncover vegetation to eat during winter. - **Dust Bath Defender:** American Bison takes regular dust baths, which helps them remove parasites and loose fur, keeping their skin healthy. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 210-350 cm - **Weight:** 300-1000 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 56 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 270-285 days ## Diet & Feeding These large herbivores graze on a variety of grasses and plants to fuel their massive bodies. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, sedges, forbs, willow, aspen bark - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Gray Wolf](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-wolf) (*Canis lupus*) — Wolves often prey on bison calves or sick/elderly adults. - **Hunts:** [Grizzly Bear](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grizzly-bear) (*Ursus arctos*) — Grizzly bears will also prey on bison, especially calves. - **Eats:** [Big Bluestem](https://www.snappit.app/explore/big-bluestem) (*Andropogon gerardii*) — Bison heavily graze on this tall prairie grass species. - **Eats:** [Little Bluestem](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-bluestem) (*Schizachyrium scoparium*) — They commonly consume this widespread prairie grass. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Always admire bison from a safe distance. They are wild animals and need space. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Bison? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is American Bison? 210-350 cm ### How much does American Bison weigh? 300-1000 kg ### How long does American Bison live? 15-20 years ### How fast can American Bison move? 56 km/h ### What does American Bison eat? These large herbivores graze on a variety of grasses and plants to fuel their massive bodies. ### Where is American Bison usually found? Plains and grasslands ### How does American Bison hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Darlington Agency](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/darlington-agency) — Oklahoma, US · Historic District - [Mormon Row Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mormon-row-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Murie Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/murie-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [North Entrance Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/north-entrance-road-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [African Safari Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/african-safari-wildlife-park) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Bronx Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bronx-zoo) — New York, US · Zoo [View all places to see American Bison](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-bison) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [American Bison: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bison)