United States
American Bison
Meet the American bison! These huge, shaggy giants once roamed the plains in the millions and are now the official national mammal of the United States.
Why is it special?
It is the largest land animal in North America — a big bull can weigh as much as a small car.
In 2016, the bison officially became the national mammal of the United States.
How does it live?
Bison live in herds and graze on prairie grasses, wandering wide-open grasslands like Yellowstone.
Despite their size, they can run up to 35 miles per hour and are surprisingly good swimmers.
Amazing facts
A bull bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, about as heavy as a small car.
Baby bison are called "red dogs" because of their reddish-orange fur when born.
Quick facts
- A bull bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, about as heavy as a small car.
- Baby bison are called "red dogs" because of their reddish-orange fur when born.
- Bison were hunted to near extinction in the 1800s, dropping to only a few hundred left in the wild.
- Thanks to conservation efforts, hundreds of thousands of bison now live across North America.