American bison Bison bison
Description
The American bison, also called the American buffalo or simply buffalo (not to be confused with true buffalo), is a species of bison native to North America. For many years the population was primarily found in a few national parks and reserves. Through multiple reintroductions, the species now freely roams wild in several regions in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with it also being introduced to Yakutia in Russia. Male bison are significantly larger and heavier than females. Male bison range in weight from 701 to 2,599 lbs.; and females range from 790 to 1,410 lbs.
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Range
United States, Canada, Mexico
Habitat
Bison are herbivores, grazing on the grasses and sedges of the North American prairies. Their daily schedule involves two-hour periods of grazing, resting, and cud chewing, then moving to a new location to graze again.
Gestation
285 days
Litter
Bison females, also called cows, give birth to a single calf each spring. For the first two months of life calves are lighter in color than mature bison. One extremely rare condition is the white buffalo, in which the calf turns entirely white.
Behavior
Bison are migratory and herd migrations can be directional as well as altitudinal in some areas. Bison have usual daily movements between foraging sites during the summer. In the Hayden Valley, Wyoming, bison have been recorded traveling on average of 2 miles per day. Bison also drink water or consume snow on a daily basis. Female bison live in maternal herds which include other females and their offspring. Male offspring leave their maternal herd when around three years old and either live alone or join other males in bachelor herds. Male and female herds usually do not mingle until the breeding season, which can occur from July through September.
Reproduction
Sexually mature young bulls may try to start mating with cows by the age of two or three years. But if more mature bulls are present, they may not be able to compete until they reach five years of age. During the breeding season, dominant bulls maintain a small harem of females for mating. Individual bulls "tend" cows until allowed to mate, by following them around and chasing away rival males. The tending bull shields the female's vision with his body so she will not see any other challenging males. A challenging bull may bellow or roar to get a female's attention and the tending bull has to bellow/roar back.
Diet (Wild)
Grasses and sedges of the North American prairies; occasionally berries and lichen
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
