Did
You Know?
Approximately 60 million Bison used to roam North America.
A Bison bull can stand 6ft. high at the shoulder & weigh up to
2,500 lbs!
Bison can live up to 35 years.
Bison can withstand temperatures to minus 50 degrees fahrenheit.
Bison can smell water from several miles away.
Bison “grunt”, not bellow.
Bison calves are born red in color & turn brown in 3-4 months.
A Bison may produce 20 to 25 calves in her lifetime.
Bison is the only mammal that does not get cancer.
Bison can pivot on all four feet and can outrun a horse.
Bison are expert swimmers from birth.
Pioneer & Indian trails got their start as Bison trails.
Q:
What is the difference between Bison and buffalo?
A:
Scientifically, the term “buffalo” is incorrect for the
North American species; its proper Latin name is Bison Bison. However,
common usage has made the term “buffalo” an acceptable synonym
for the American Bison. (from The American Buffalo
in Transition, by J. Albert Rorabacher)
Q:
Where did the word “buffalo” come from?
A:
In the seventeenth century, French explorers in North America referred
to the new species they encountered as “les boeufs,” meaning
oxen or beeves. The English, arriving later, changed the pronunciation
to “la buff.” The name grew distorted as “buffle,”
“buffler,” “buffillo,” and, eventually, “buffalo.”
(from The American Buffalo in Transition, by J. Albert Rorabacher)
Q:
How much do Bison weigh?
A:
A mature Bison bull will weigh approximately 2000 lbs.,
while a mature bison cow will weigh approximately 1100 lbs.
Q:
What is the approximate birth weight of a Bison calf?
A:
They normally weigh between 25 to 35 pounds. They are usually up and
walking or running with their mothers within a couple hours of being
born.
Q:
What is the gestation period for a female Bison?
A:
The gestation period for the American bison is 9 1ž2 months. Under
normal conditions, cows have their calves from mid-April through June.
Cows generally have one calf per year, but twins may very rarely occur.
Q:
How many calves will a bison have in her lifetime?
A:
Female Bison breed when they are two years old and have their first
calves when they are three. Cows can live to be 20-25 years old having
a calf each year under the right conditions.
Q:
How long does it take a Bison calf to become an adult?
A:Bison
calves are normally weaned when they are around six months old. Females
generally weigh around 350 lbs. at this time and males weigh around
425 lbs.
Q:
What is the average life span of a Bison?
A:
20-25 years.
Q:
Is a Bison considered a ruminant, meaning do they chew a cud as a
cow would?
A:
Yes.
Q:
Are Bison gentle or aggressive?
A:
Bison are not domestic animals and should be treated with caution
and respect. Each animal has its own distinct personality.
Q:
How fast can Bison run?
A:
Bison can run at speeds up to 30 MPH.
Q:
Can you tame Bison?
A:
Just as lions and tigers can be tamed by professional animal trainers,
bison can also be trained. However, bison are not domestic animals.
Q:
Do all Bison have horns?
A:
Yes.
Q:
Is Bison fur soft?
A:
Bison have coarse guard hairs and a soft wool undercoat.
Q:
Do Bison have front teeth?
A:
Yes.
Q:
How many Bison are there in North America?
A:
There are approximately 350,000-head.
Q:
What is the spiritual relationship between the Bison and the American
Indian culture?
A:
It varies from tribe to tribe. However, many of the tribes relied
on Bison not just for meat, but for shelter, clothing, and a source
of utensils, tools, etc. The Bison naturally became a spiritual focus
for many American Indian tribes. Often, the creation legends of the
tribes included the Bison. (from Buffalo Nation,
by Valerius Geist)
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