American Bison (Brown)

Bison are the largest mammal in North America. Despite their size, bison can run up to speeds of 40 mph. While bison and buffalo are used interchangeably, in North America the scientific name is bison. Historians believe the term "buffalo" grew from the French word for beef, "boeuf."

Hunted to near extinction by the late 1800s, today there are more than 400,000 bison on public, private, and native lands. Named our national mammal in 2016, the bison joins the ranks of the bald eagle as the official symbol of the United States.

Did you know...a baby bison is called a "red dog." Bison calves tend to be born from late March through May and are orange-red in color, earning them the nickname "red dogs."

Size: 5 - 6 feet height at their hump
Weight: 700 - 2200 lbs
Lifespan: 12 - 20 years

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