Bison stand as the undisputed heavyweights of the North American prairie. These massive beasts once roamed the continent in herds numbering nearly sixty million. Sadly, overhunting nearly wiped them off the map in the nineteenth century. Today, they serve as a powerful symbol of conservation resilience. Although they look slow and lumbering, bison are actually athletic giants. They can sprint faster than a racehorse and jump over fences with ease. Prepare to roam the plains with the American legend.
Bison
The United States named the bison its official national mammal. In 2016, President Obama signed the legislation to honor them. Thus, they joined the bald eagle as a symbol of the country.
People nickname the calves “red dogs” because of their color. At birth, the baby bison has orange-red fur instead of dark brown. Eventually, the coat changes to the adult color after a few months.
Surprisingly, these giants run much faster than they appear. In fact, a bison can sprint up to thirty-five miles per hour. Therefore, they can easily outrun a human or a racehorse in a sprint.
Physically, their massive shoulder hump serves a specific purpose. Actually, it consists of pure muscle attached to the spine. Consequently, this muscle allows them to use their head as a heavy snowplow.
Interestingly, the tail acts as a mood warning signal. If the tail hangs down, the animal feels calm and relaxed. However, a tail standing straight up signals an immediate charge.
Agilely, they can jump incredibly high for their size. Despite weighing two thousand pounds, they can clear a six-foot fence. Thus, farmers find it very difficult to keep them contained.
Historically, they faced one of the darkest extinctions in history. Sadly, hunters reduced the population from millions to just a few hundred. Fortunately, conservation efforts saved the bison from disappearing completely.
Habitually, they roll in the dirt in a behavior called wallowing. Primarily, this action helps them shed their thick winter coats. Additionally, it creates a dust layer that protects them from biting insects.
Scientifically, true buffalo do not live in North America at all. Actually, the American bison differs genetically from the African or Water Buffalo. Nevertheless, early settlers used the names interchangeably, and the confusion stuck.
Socially, the herds follow the lead of a dominant female. Usually, the older cows decide where the group moves to graze. Meanwhile, the males often live in their own separate bachelor groups.
Surgically, they possess incredibly thick skin on their necks. In fact, the hide is so tough that it can deflect predator attacks. Consequently, wolves struggle to bite through the skin of a healthy adult.
Dietarily, they eat nearly twenty-five pounds of food daily. Mainly, they graze on grasses, weeds, and leafy plants for hours. Therefore, they act as natural lawnmowers for the vast prairie ecosystems.
Visually, they struggle to see things clearly at a distance. However, their senses of smell and hearing are extremely sharp. Thus, they rely on their nose to detect danger from miles away.
Genetically, ranchers sometimes breed them with domestic cows. Resulting, the hybrid offspring receives the name “beefalo.” Unfortunately, this practice threatens the genetic purity of wild herds today.
Environmentally, they create water sources for other animals. When they wallow, the depressions in the ground fill with rainwater. Subsequently, birds and small mammals use these mini-ponds to drink.
