American Bison

American Bison are covered in thick dark brown fur that helps protect them from harsh winter weather. Their coat has two layers: a coarse outer layer that sheds moisture and cold, and a softer inner layer that traps warmth. In fact, bison have about 10 times more hair per square inch than domestic cattle. Adults can grow between 7 and 11.5 feet long, with an additional 20 to 24 inches of tail. Males, called bulls, can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand around 6 feet tall, while females, called cows, usually weigh up to 1,000 pounds and stand 4 to 5 feet tall. Despite their size, American Bison are surprisingly agile. They can run up to 40 miles per hour, jump as high as 6 feet, spin quickly, and even swim well.

American Bison live in open grasslands and plains, sometimes near forests and mountain regions. Today, they are found in parts of the midwestern and western United States, as well as Canada and Alaska. Yellowstone National Park is the only place in the U.S. where American Bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times.

American Bison are grazers, feeding mainly on grasses and other low-growing vegetation. In winter, they use their large heads like snowplows to push snow aside and uncover food beneath it.

American Bison are social animals and usually travel in herds. For much of the year, females and calves stay together in one group, while males stay in another. During breeding season in the summer, bulls join the female herd to compete for mates. Females are pregnant for about nine months and usually give birth to one calf, often called a “red dog” because of its orange-red coloring at birth. Calves can stand within an hour and begin walking shortly after. They stay close to their mothers for about a year but begin becoming more independent well before that. American Bison typically live about 25 years in the wild and up to 35 years in human care.

American Bison are built to handle life in tough conditions. Their thick coats help them withstand freezing winters, and their powerful heads let them push through deep snow to reach food below. Even at their massive size, they are surprisingly fast and agile, built to travel long distances across open landscapes.

Red List: Near Threatened

Green Status: Critically Depleted