A large American bison with thick, tawny-golden fur lies on a bed of dry pine needles and soil in a woodland setting. Its head features short, curved horns, a heavy mane around its neck, and dark facial accents, set against a backdrop of tall pine tree trunks.

North AmericaMammalsNear Threatened

American Bison

Where American Bison Live

Continent: North America

Grasslands, prairies, and plains across North America, with conservation herds in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The American bison is the largest land mammal in North America, an icon of the continent's prairies once numbering in the tens of millions before being hunted to near extinction. Recognized by its massive shoulder hump and shaggy coat, it plays a key ecological role in maintaining healthy grassland ecosystems through grazing. Bison live in social herds divided largely by sex, coming together during the summer rut. Conservation efforts have helped populations recover, though they occupy a fraction of their historic range.

The silhouette of North America map on the white background.

North America

Quick Facts

HeightMales up to 1.9 m (6.2 ft) at the hump

WeightMales up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), females up to 550 kg (1,200 lb)

Lifespan15 to 25 years wild

SpeedUp to 55 km/h (35 mph)

DietGrasses, sedges, and some woody plants

Clutch1 calf per birth, gestation about 9 months

Population icon

PopulationAround 31,000 in conservation herds, near threatened

RangeNorth American plains and prairies

Conservation Status

EXExtinct

EWExtinct in the Wild

CRCritically Endangered

ENEndangered

VUVulnerable

NTNear Threatened

LCLeast Concern

NENot Evaluated

How American Bison Survive in the Wild

An American bison standing in prairie grass, his shaggy brown coats and curved horns shows a powerful portrait of its social status. In the background, the back side of another bison.

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Fast Despite Their Bulk

Despite their bulk, bison can run up to 55 km/h (35 mph), fast enough to outrun most predators on the open plains.

A solitary American bison dusted with white snow standing in a winter landscape, its breath visible in the cold air, dark brown fur contrasting dramatically against the snow-covered ground and muted gray sky.

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A Snow Plowing Head

Their massive, heavily insulated head lets them push through deep snow to reach grass buried underneath during winter.

A small herd of American bison moving together across an open prairie landscape, their massive dark forms creating a rhythmic pattern against the golden-brown grassland under soft natural lighting.

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Sharp Hearing and Smell

Excellent hearing and smell compensate for relatively poor eyesight, helping bison detect danger from a distance.

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Social Lives of American Bison

A sweeping wide shot of a large American bison herd scattered across a vast golden grassland, their dark brown bodies dotting the tawny landscape under an expansive sky, capturing the scale of these iconic plains animals.

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Herds Split by Sex

Bison typically live in sex segregated herds for most of the year, with females and calves together and males roaming separately or alone.

An American bison using its curved horn to scratch its hindquarters in a self-grooming behavior, its shaggy dark coat contrasting against golden grassland, capturing an intimate moment of natural behavior.

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The Summer Rut

During the summer rut, males compete for mates through head butting contests and impressive displays of strength.

Two American bison calves with reddish-orange woolly coats standing close together in golden prairie grass, their dark eyes alert and ears perked, with adult bison visible in the soft-focus background.

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Protecting Calves Together

All members of a herd help protect calves, contributing to strong collective defense against predators.

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Photo Gallery

Two American bison calves with reddish-orange woolly coats standing close together in golden prairie grass, their dark eyes alert and ears perked, with adult bison visible in the soft-focus background.

A dramatic close-up of an American bison's massive head, showcasing its dense, curly dark brown fur, curved black horns, and intense dark eye, with wisps of coarse hair framing its broad face against a muted natural backdrop.

A sweeping wide shot of a large American bison herd scattered across a vast golden grassland, their dark brown bodies dotting the tawny landscape under an expansive sky, capturing the scale of these iconic plains animals.

An American bison with its large, shaggy head lowered to graze on dry golden grass, its thick dark brown mane cascading forward, powerful shoulder hump prominent against a blurred prairie backdrop.

An American bison using its curved horn to scratch its hindquarters in a self-grooming behavior, its shaggy dark coat contrasting against golden grassland, capturing an intimate moment of natural behavior.

A small herd of American bison moving together across an open prairie landscape, their massive dark forms creating a rhythmic pattern against the golden-brown grassland under soft natural lighting.

An American bison standing in prairie grass, his shaggy brown coats and curved horns shows a powerful portrait of its social status. In the background, the back side of another bison.

A solitary American bison dusted with white snow standing in a winter landscape, its breath visible in the cold air, dark brown fur contrasting dramatically against the snow-covered ground and muted gray sky.

A juvenile American bison with lighter brown coloring and developing shoulder hump standing in golden grass, showing the transitional coat between calf and adult, with alert dark eyes and small curved horns emerging.

A young American bison calf with soft, lighter brown woolly coat standing in prairie grass, its smaller frame and less pronounced features distinguishing it from adults, dark eyes wide with youthful curiosity.

Flashcards