Buhairi Rifqa Moustafid
Bison is a large mammal belonging to the Bovidae family, which includes cattle and antelopes, but they are classified under the Bison genus.
They have an average shoulder height of about 1.5 to 2 meters (5 to 6.5 feet) and a body weight ranging between 400 to 1,000 kilograms (880 to 2,200 pounds).
In the past, bison roamed extensively across the North American grasslands, from Canada to Mexico, as well as across the plains of Europe.
Now limited to national parks and conservation areas, they primarily inhabit grasslands but can also be found in open forests.
This species primarily eats grass but also consumes low-growing plants like shrubs, moss, and even wood in winter when other food is scarce.
They reproduce through mating, and females typically give birth to one calf every one or two years after a gestation period of about nine months.
The parents protect their calves, often referred to as ‘calves,’ and the calves gradually learn to forage and adapt to their environment.
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Swift Running with Mood-Signaling Tails
Despite appearing slow due to their massive size, these giant mammals can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour (56 km/h).
This speed is faster than the average human. They are also adept swimmers and possess remarkable jumping abilities.
Moreover, the tails of these often misunderstood animals can reveal their mood. When calm, their tails hang loosely, while an upright tail may indicate readiness to attack.
Nevertheless, caution should still be exercised when approaching them, as they are unpredictable animals.
2 Species Remain in America and Europe
There are 2 surviving species: the American bison (Bison bison) and the European bison (B. bonasus).
However, several other species, such as the steppe bison (B. priscus) and the giant bison (B. latifrons), have become extinct.
The steppe bison resembled modern bison but had larger horns, while the giant bison had the largest body and horns.
All known species tend to inhabit cold regions in Europe and North America. They are the largest land mammals in Europe and North America.
European species are larger than their American counterparts. European species can weigh up to 1 ton, while American species typically weigh up to 900 kg.
Humped with Thick Coats
They are often mistaken for buffalo. While many people use the terms “bison” and “buffalo” interchangeably in North America, they are different.
Buffalo’s close relatives, bison, can only be found in North America, while buffalo live in Africa and Asia.
This species has more curved horns and a larger head than buffalo. Moreover, they inhabit grasslands, while buffalo usually live in forests.
Additionally, the symbol of the United States has a distinctive feature: a large hump on its shoulders, which differs from the fat-based hump camels.
Bison humps consist of large muscles supported by the spine, aiding them in moving their heads to clear snow while walking.
This is similar to a snowplow vehicle, as their natural habitat tends to be snowy. This ability is crucial for them to travel and forage.
Furthermore, they also have thick coats consisting of thick skin and two layers of hair to provide excellent insulation.
This thick coat protects them from cold temperatures and snow, enabling them to survive in harsh environmental conditions.
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Endangered, Eventually Cultivated
The largest land mammals in the American and European plains were nearly extinct in the 19th century, with only about 325 remaining in 1884.
However, conservation efforts during westward expansion succeeded in saving them.
The 26th President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt, established the American Bison Society in 1905 to save this symbol of the United States.
Currently, around 15,000 bison roam wild in the United States, with about 5,000 of them in Yellowstone National Park.
They eventually started cultivation, primarily focusing on America, but their development progressed slowly.
Ted Turner was one of the pioneers of bison farming in the United States. In the 1990s, he built a special restaurant that sold bison steaks.
One animal can produce up to 180 kg of meat. The USDA purchased excess bison meat stocks to save the industry and improve marketing methods.
In Canada, commercial farming for them began in the mid-1980s. By 1996, there were 745 farms with a total of 45,000 animals.