American Bison

The American bison is a species of bison native to North America. Sometimes colloquially referred to as buffalo, it is one of two extant species of bison, alongside the European bison. Weighty Matters. The American bison wins in the length department: Males, called bulls, can grow up to 12.5 feet from head to rump and weigh as much as 2,200 pounds. The Cape buffalo comes in second in length, at around 11 feet and weighs in at a little less than 2,00o pounds. In former times, American bison (Bison bison) migrated regularly through the Great Plains. Herds of as many as 4,000,000 animals moved from north to south in fall and returned when spring rains brought fresh grass to the northern part of their range.

Conservation status: Near Threatened (Population stable)

Mass: 1,000 – 2,200 lbs (Male, Adult), 790 – 1,200 lbs (Female, Adult)

Gestation period: 283 days

Trophic level: Herbivorous

Scientific name: Bison bison

Length: 9.3 ft. (Adult)