Bison Facts

BISON  FACTS

1. The American Bison, commonly called a buffalo, is NOT AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL.  With an estimated 90,000+ in privately owned herds in the U.S. and Canada.

2. Bison may seem quite docile, but can change in an instant.  They should never be trusted.  There is no such thing as a "TAME" bison.

3. Bison are born with an instinct to charge and in a fear situation, you can count on this being their action.  Their head is a fighting instrument.

4. Bison can out run and out maneuver most horses.  They can gallop over rough terrain at speeds of 30 to 35 miles an hour, for more than 10 miles at a time.

5. Bison love water and are good swimmers.

6. Bison don't often choose to jump like a deer but they can if need be.  A full grown male can jump 6 feet from a standing position.

7. A mature bull will average 1,500 to 2,000 lbs with prize winning bulls up to nearly 3,000 lbs.

8. Bison are long lived and have been known to produce calves up to age 30 to 35.  They reach maturity in 9 to 10 years.

9. The hump is the spine and muscle mass needed for support of their very large heads.

10. Newborn bison are a reddish brown, weigh in at 35 to 40 lbs, and do not have a noticeable hump.  Twins are rare.