PLAINS BISON Bison bison

Redlist status: Near threatened

• Bison live in North America and some parts of Europe.  They are not to be confused with Buffaloscontrary to the song there were NO buffalos roaming around in North America.

• Bison are broad and muscular with shaggy coats of long hair. Adults grow up to 2 m in height and 3.35 m in length for American bison, slightly taller for European bison. The American bison can weigh from around 400 to 1,270 kg and European bison can weigh from 800 to 1,000 kg.  They can move at speeds up to 56 km/h and cover long distances at a lumbering gallop.

• Wallowing is a common behavior of bison. A bison wallow is a shallow depression in the soil, either wet or dry. Bison roll in these depressions, covering themselves with mud or dust. 

• Their most obvious weapons are the horns borne by both males and females, but their massive heads can be used as battering rams.  The hind leg kick can also be used to defend themselves or maim with devastating effect. 

• The rutting, or mating, season lasts from June through September, with peak activity in July and August. Female bison typically do not reproduce until three years of age and can reproduce to at least 19 years of age.  Gestation (pregnancy) period is typically around nine months for both bison with calves arriving in May and June and the breeding season running from shortly after the start of calving through August. Calves weigh 18-22 kilos at birth.