Bison facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bison Temporal range: 2–0Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓ Early Pleistocene – Recent
American bison (Bison bison)
European bison (Bison bonasus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Bovidae
Subfamily:	Bovinae
Subtribe:	Bovina
Genus:	Bison Hamilton Smith, 1827
Species
B. bison B. bonasus †B. antiquus †B. latifrons †B. priscus

A group of wisents, also known as European bison.

Bison are very large, hoofed animals that are related to cows. They are often called buffalo, but they are actually different from the buffalo found in Africa or Asia. Bison live in the northern parts of the world. The American bison lives in North America, while the wisent (European bison) lives in Europe. Both types of bison can live in grasslands, plains, and even rugged, wooded areas.

Meet the American Bison

The American bison is the biggest mammal in North America. Long ago, there were as many as 30 million bison roaming the prairies in huge herds. However, due to extensive hunting, their numbers dropped dramatically. By 1890, only about 1,000 bison were left.

Thanks to conservation efforts, the number of American bison has grown. There are now more bison than there were in 1890, but still far fewer than before the 1800s. These amazing animals are a symbol of the American West.

Meet the European Bison (Wisent)

The European bison, also called the Wisent, prefers to live in areas with light woods or dense forests. They also like places with lots of shrubs and bushes. However, just like their American cousins, they can also be found on grasslands and open plains.

Bison Family Tree

Bison belong to a group of animals called Bovinae, which is part of the family Bovidae. This family includes animals like cows, goats, and sheep.

There are two main types of bison that are still alive today:

• American bison (Bison bison)
• Wisent or European bison (Bison bonasus)

Life of a Bison

Bison can live to be about 20 years old. When they are born, baby bison do not have their distinct "hump" or horns. Both male and female bison grow horns as they get older.

Bison are considered grown-up at about 2 to 3 years of age. At this point, they shed their lighter baby hair and their horns are fully developed. Male bison, called bulls, continue to grow slowly until they are about seven years old. During mating season, adult bulls become very dominant. Adult female bison usually give birth to one or two calves at a time.

Images for kids

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  Magdalenian bison on plaque, 17,000–9,000 BC, Bédeilhac grottoe, Ariège

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  A museum display shows the full skeleton of an adult male American bison

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  Skulls of European bison (left) and American bison (right)

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  A group of images by Eadweard Muybridge, set to motion to illustrate the movement of the bison

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  A bison charges an elk in Yellowstone National Park.

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  Last of the Canadian Buffaloes, 1902, photograph: Steele and Company

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  A bison and a bull elk grazing together in Yellowstone National Park.

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  Wolves hunting bison

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  Photo from the 1870s of a pile of American bison skulls waiting to be ground for fertilizer.

See also

In Spanish: Bisontes para niños