Bison are iconic symbols of the North American wilderness, known for their massive size and powerful presence. These majestic creatures have fascinating traits and behaviors that many people don’t know about. Let’s dive into some intriguing facts about these mighty beasts of the plains.
1. Bison are the largest land mammals in North America, with males weighing up to 2,000 pounds (900 kg) and standing about 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall at the shoulder.
2. Bison might look bulky, but they can sprint as fast as 35 miles per hour! That’s faster than a galloping horse — not bad for an animal that weighs more than a small car.
3. Calves are born with a cute reddish-brown color and are often called “red dogs” because of their puppy-like appearance. They start running just a few hours after birth!
4. Bison use their giant shoulder hump like a built-in snowplow. Those strong muscles help them sweep away deep snow with their heads to reach grass underneath.
5. During summer, bison take dust baths by rolling in dry soil. It helps them get rid of parasites — and honestly, it looks like they're just having fun in the dirt.
A bison’s thick fur shields it from extreme cold.
7. They may seem quiet, but bison have a whole language of snorts, grunts, and deep bellows to communicate with each other, especially during mating season.
8. Bison have poor eyesight but make up for it with excellent hearing and a strong sense of smell — they can detect predators or other herds from miles away.
9. Long ago, tens of millions of bison roamed North America. By the late 1800s, fewer than a thousand were left due to overhunting, but conservation saved them from extinction.
10. Though bison may seem peaceful, they cause more injuries to tourists in U.S. national parks than bears. If you see a bison’s tail raised straight up like a flag, it means they’re agitated — so it’s best to admire them from a safe distance and back away to avoid danger.
