📷 (c) Catherine C. Galley, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
📷 (c) Donna Pomeroy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
📷 (c) John Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
IUCN: Near Threatened
American Bison
Bison bison
KingdomAnimalia›PhylumChordata›ClassMammalia›OrderArtiodactyla›FamilyBovidae›GenusBison
About
American bison are the largest land mammals in North America and once moved across the Great Plains in enormous herds. Their grazing, wallowing, and movements create habitat for grassland plants, birds, insects, and small mammals. Intensive hunting nearly eliminated them in the 1800s, but protected herds and Indigenous-led restoration projects now anchor prairie recovery.
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Prairie grassland, open woodland, river valleys, and restored reserves
🍃Diet Herbivore — grasses, sedges, forbs, and browse
📏Size & Weight Body 2.1–3.5 m; shoulder height up to 1.9 m
•weight 318–1,000 kg
⏳Lifespan 15–20 years wild
🗺Range United States, Canada, and northern Mexico reintroduction areas
MammalBovid
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Prairie grassland, open woodland, river valleys, and restored reserves
🍃Diet Herbivore — grasses, sedges, forbs, and browse
📏Size & Weight Body 2.1–3.5 m; shoulder height up to 1.9 m
•weight 318–1,000 kg
⏳Lifespan 15–20 years wild
🗺Range United States, Canada, and northern Mexico reintroduction areas
Photo Credits
#1(c) Catherine C. Galley, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
#2(c) Donna Pomeroy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) · CC BY NC
#3(c) John Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) · CC BY NC
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