Bison (Bison bison) belong to the order Artiodactyla and the
family Bovidae. There are two types of living bison: American bison (buffalo)
and the European bison. Bisons are grazing herbivores that lead a nomadic
existence. The non dominant male bison travel in smaller groups separate from
the main herd except for breeding times.
Originally, the American buffalo numbered into the millions
and covered the Great Plains area of the United
States. Intense hunting and slaughtering in
the 19th and 20th centuries almost made the buffalo
extinct. The American bison recovered and now lives on farm land and national
park areas across the nation.
Bison eat grass and shrubbery during the summer months and
use their large heads to burrow for grass under the snow during the winter.
Faster than their massive size would indicate, the bison can reach a running
speed of 35 miles per hour. Bison like to wallow in wet and dry mud to pass the
time. Experts seem to think this may be a grooming ritual.
Few natural predators, bison can be attacked by wolves and
bears, especially the very young and the very old members of the herd.