The American bison is more than just a big animal—it’s a symbol of the Great Plains, a cornerstone of Native American culture, and a wildlife comeback story. Sometimes called a buffalo, the American bison once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds—tens of millions strong!
Bison are built like tanks, with broad shoulders, a muscular hump, and a thick woolly coat that keeps them warm through freezing winters. Adult males can weigh over 2,000 pounds, while females are a bit smaller. Despite their size, bison are surprisingly fast—they can run up to 35 miles per hour!
These herbivores spend their days grazing on grass and using their strong neck muscles to sweep snow aside in the winter. Their presence helps shape the ecosystem by keeping grasslands healthy, creating wallows (dusty pits they roll in), and spreading seeds with their hooves and fur.
Bison live in herds, with females and young in one group and males often in another, except during mating season. They communicate using low grunts, snorts, and head movements, and they’re especially protective of their calves.
Once nearly driven to extinction in the 1800s due to overhunting and habitat loss, the American bison is now a major conservation success story. Thanks to protection efforts, breeding programs, and partnerships with Native communities, bison have made a comeback in national parks, preserves, and—of course—zoos.
