Bison Facts

While true buffalo are the Cape buffalo of Africa or the water buffalo of Asia, the American Bison has been called 'Buffalo" for so long we now use the names interchangeably in the US. The only other Bison in the world is called the Wisent, and survives in small numbers on reserves in Europe.

Bison are well adapted to life on open grasslands. Heavy coasts protect them from both summer sun and winter wind. Their coat is so well insulated that snow can lay on their backs without melting.

Bison are unpredictable and can be very dangerous. They appear slow and docile, but are quite agile and can run as fast as a horse. Bison bulls weigh around 2,000 pounds and have heavy horns. A large hump of muscle supports their enormous head and thick skull. A mass of fur on their heads and a heavy cape of fur even in summer. This makes them appear larger and protects them when fighting. They are especially ill-tempered during breeding season (mid-July through August.) Bison cows weigh about half as much as bulls. Their horns are narrower and they have smaller hump, and a smoother summer coat. Bison Calves are born in mid-April and May and are a bright red color for the first two months. Cows are very protective of their young and can be even more dangerous than a bull.