Basic Information
Bison are the largest land mammals in North America, weighing as much as a small car! They belong to the same family as cattle, sheep, and goats!
Bison (American Bison) - Facts for Kids
Don't want random?
Search name of person, animal, place, thing, etc.
Share
Facts About Bison (American Bison) For Kids
The scientific name for American bison is Bison bison, which means their name is so nice they said it twice!
Bison belong to the same animal family as cows, called Bovidae, making them distant cousins to farm cattle!
A group of bison is called a herd, and some herds can have over 1,000 animals!
Wild bison typically live 12–15 years, but in zoos they can live up to 20 years with good care!
Male bison are called bulls, females are called cows, and babies are called calves, just like farm cattle!
Adult male bison can weigh between 1,400-2,000 pounds (635-907 kg), which is heavier than a piano!
Female bison weigh between 800-1,200 pounds (363-544 kg), still heavier than three adult humans combined!
Bison are herbivores, which means they only eat plants and never hunt other animals for food!
Physical Characteristics
Bison can stand 6 feet (1.83 m) tall at their shoulders, which is taller than most adult humans!
A bison’s hump is made of muscles that help support their massive head, which can weigh 40 pounds (18 kg)!
Both male and female bison grow horns that curve upward and can be 2 feet (61 cm) long!
Bison have two layers of fur — a thick undercoat for warmth and longer guard hairs on top!
A bison’s tongue is 2 feet (61 cm) long and weighs about 2–3 pounds (0.91-1.36 kg), which helps them grab grass and pull it into their mouths!
Bison shed their winter coat every spring, and you can see big patches of fur hanging off them!
Bison have excellent hearing and can detect sounds from over a mile away!
A bison’s tail stands up straight when they’re about to charge, warning other animals to stay away!
Bison have poor eyesight and can only see clearly for about 300 feet (91 m), but their smell is amazing!
Baby bison are born with reddish-brown fur that turns dark brown as they grow older!
Behavior & Intelligence
Bison can run 35 miles per hour (56 km/h), which is faster than most people can ride a bicycle!
Despite weighing over 1,000 pounds (454 kg), bison can jump 6 feet (1.83 m) high from a standing position!
Bison communicate by grunting, snorting, and bellowing, using lots of different sounds!
Male bison fight by crashing their heads together during mating season, like living battering rams!
Bison roll in dirt to create dust baths, which helps them get rid of bugs and stay cool!
Bison live in groups with a clear social order, where older females are usually the leaders!
When danger approaches, bison form a protective circle with calves in the middle and adults facing outward!
Bison can swim across rivers and lakes, using their powerful legs to paddle through the water!
Bison use their heads like snow plows, swinging them side to side to clear snow and find grass underneath!
Habitat & Survival
Bison once roamed across an area covering 30% of North America, from Alaska to Mexico!
Bison prefer grasslands because they need to eat 24 pounds (11 kg) of grass and plants every day!
Bison create their own trails across the prairie that can be seen from airplanes flying overhead!
Bison help prairies stay healthy by fertilizing the soil with their droppings, which help new plants grow!
Bison can survive winter temperatures as cold as -40°F (-40°C) thanks to their thick, woolly coats!
Bison migrate up to 70 miles (113 km) between summer and winter grazing areas, following the same routes each year!
Bison share their habitat with prairie dogs, whose burrows help loosen soil for better grass growth!
Bison wallows (the dirt patches where they roll) become mini-ponds during rain, providing water for other animals!
Bison have few natural predators as adults, but wolves and mountain lions sometimes hunt young calves!
Bison can find water sources up to 5 miles (8 km) away using their excellent sense of smell!
Life Cycle
Female bison carry their babies for 9 months, the same amount of time as human mothers!
Bison calves weigh 30-70 pounds (14-32 kg) when born, about the same as a medium-sized dog!
Baby bison can stand and walk within 10–30 minutes of being born, much faster than human babies!
Bison calves stay close to their mothers for their first year and drink milk for 6–8 months!
Young bison practice fighting by play-fighting with other calves, preparing for adult life!
Female bison usually have one calf every 1–2 years, and they’re very protective mothers!
Male bison leave their family groups when they’re 2–3 years old to live alone or with other males!
Bison reach full adult size when they’re 5–6 years old, growing slowly but steadily!
During mating season, male bison make loud bellowing sounds that can be heard up to 3 miles (5 km) away!
Bison calves born in late spring have the best chance of survival because there’s plenty of grass for their mothers!
Diet & Feeding
Bison eat grass, herbs, shrubs, and twigs, spending 9–11 hours each day just eating!
