Bison: America's 2000-Pound Power Tank

The bison is a large, powerful herbivorous mammal known for its humped shoulders, massive head, and thick fur. Native to North America and parts of Europe, the two main species are the American bison (Bison bison) and the European bison (Bison bonasus).

Key Characteristics:
Size: Bison are among the largest land animals in North America. Males can weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kg) and stand about 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall at the shoulder.

Appearance: They have shaggy brown fur, especially around the head and neck, curved horns, and a distinctive hump on their shoulders.

Behavior: Bison are social animals that live in herds. They are mostly calm but can run up to 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) and become aggressive if threatened.

Habitat: They prefer open grasslands, prairies, and river valleys.

Diet: As grazers, they feed on grasses, herbs, and shrubs.

Conservation: Once nearly extinct due to overhunting and habitat loss, conservation efforts have helped bison populations rebound, especially in national parks and reserves.

The American bison is also an important cultural and spiritual symbol for many Indigenous tribes in North America and was declared the national mammal of the United States in 2016.