American Bison

Bison bison

Once a symbol of the Old West, the American Bison (commonly called the Buffalo) is now used to help restore prairies. Bison help prairies by "rubbing out" trees, treading on seeds with their sharp hooves, and creating plowed ground where new plants can grow.

Look For : A very large, almost black, shaggy cowlike animal with a hump over its shoulders. Both cows and bulls have short curved horns.

Length : Body 6-11' long, up to 6' high; tail 12-19" long; 793-2,000 lb.

Habitat : Plains and prairies in the U.S.; and some forested areas in western Canada.

Range : Large, free-ranging herds in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, and in Wood Buffalo National Park, Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, and Slave River Lowlands in Canada. Small free-ranging herds in Alaska and Canada.