American Bison (a.k.a. Buffalo)         Bison bison bison

 Bison are “shaggy” in appearance because their head and fore quarters are covered with long, dark hair.  Male and female bison are very similar in appearance, and often are only deemed different by the 8 to 12 inch black beard exhibited by the male.  Full-grown bulls are considerably larger than their female counterparts, but young bison may be difficult to sex from a distance.  Among males, the amount of hair on the forehead and size of his black beard is believed to be an indication of dominance.  The “hump” appearing in both sexes just between the shoulders, is an extension of the spine.
 

Bison are social animals, and before the inundation of settlers to the Midwest, were found in herds sometimes exceeding 200.  With such a large herd size, communication is very important.  A constant variety of sounds communicate many different signals that keep the herd alert and informed of their surroundings.  Though their size makes them clumsy, they have great speed and endurance when pressed.

They have a good sense of smell, and it is suggested that they do not have very keen eyesight.  They can smell and locate water from great distances, and locate grass even under a thick blanket of snow.  Bison have earned a well-deserved reputation for surviving even the harshest of plains winters.

Bison are ruminants and extremely efficient at converting grasses into energy and proteins.  They can quickly fill their stomachs with vegetation, and spend the rest of the day reworking their meals in a safe area.

The reddish-brown bison calves are typically born in the spring (April-June), and are quick to adapt to herd life.  Most walk within hours of birth.  A new mother will typically spend the first few days of her calf’s life isolated from the herd strengthening the bond between them.  After rejoining the herd, the new calf will stay close to its mother for about a month or so, then branch out to play with other new calves and yearlings.