Everything You Need to Know: 10 Incredible Bison Facts
The American bison, also known as buffalo, is a symbol of resilience and an icon of the American landscape. Once roaming the grasslands of North America in massive herds of 30 to 60 million, bison faced near extinction in the 1800s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Thanks to conservation efforts, they can now freely roam in several national parks and preserves.
Did you know the American bison is the official mammal of the United States? After years of public support, the National Bison Legacy Act was signed into law in 2016, cementing their status as a national icon. Additionally, the first Saturday of November is National Bison Day, a holiday dedicated to celebrating these majestic creatures.
Keep scrolling to learn more fascinating facts about the mighty bison:
1. Male bison can grow to be over 6 feet tall and 11 feet long
The average weight range for bison is between 701 to 2,205 pounds, but the heaviest bison ever recorded weighed more than 3,800 pounds!
2. Bison can run faster than horses
Despite their enormous size, bison are incredibly athletic. They can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and jump over 6 feet!
3. A wild bison’s lifespan is about 25 years
In the wild, bison typically live up to 25 years, while those in captivity may live longer. The oldest recorded bison lived to be 30 years old at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
4. Nine national parks have bison herds
Did you know traveling to Yellowstone isn’t the only way to see bison roaming freely? Bison herds can also be found in these national park sites:
These parks play a critical role in protecting bison populations for future generations, and our land preservation efforts help ensure their continued success. Check out our park projects at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
5. Baby bison are an orange-red color until they are a few months old
Cows (female bison) begin breeding at the age of 2 and can only have one calf at a time. At birth, bison calves weigh up to 70 pounds!
6. Bison are ecosystem engineers
Bison don’t just graze—they shape the environment around them. Their grazing patterns encourage plant diversity, and their wallowing behavior creates shallow depressions that fill with water, providing habitats for insects and amphibians. These massive mammals play a crucial role in maintaining healthy grasslands.
7. Both male and female bison grow horns
While both males and females have horns, you can often tell them apart by the shape. Females have more slender, C-shaped horns compared to the thicker horns of males.
8. Bison can “plow snow” with their heads
When snow becomes too deep, bison use their heads to push it aside, making it easier to travel and graze.
9. Bison are nearsighted
Though bison have poor eyesight, their hearing is excellent. Cows and calves communicate through pig-like grunts, and bulls can bellow across great distances, especially during mating season.
10. The National Park Trust’s lovable mascot is a bison!
Representing our Youth and Family Programs, our woolly mascot Buddy Bison inspires kids across the country to “explore outdoors, the parks are yours!”
From their role in shaping ecosystems to their status as the official mammal of the United States, bison are truly remarkable creatures. Celebrate and support their conservation by visiting places that protect these iconic animals and help us preserve these parks for generations.
