Bison are large, even-toed ungulates in the genus Bison within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant and four extinct species are recognised. Of these, three (the American bison, the European bison, and the yak) are native to Asia, and two (the American bison and the European bison) to North America. The American bison, Bison bison, is the largest extant land animal in North America and Central America. A bison has a shaggy, long, dark-brown winter coat, and a lighter-weight, lighter-brown summer coat. As typical in ungulates, the male bison is larger than the female and, in some cases, can be considerably heavier. Plains bison are often in the range of 1,000 to 1,800 lb (450 to 816 kg), and can exceed 2,000 lb (907 kg). Bison can reach up to 6.5 ft (2.0 m) tall at the shoulder and up to 12 ft (3.7 m) in length.
Bison are herbivores, grazing on the grasses and sedges of the North American prairies. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, but they will also eat leaves, twigs, and bark. In the winter, bison will dig through the snow to find food.
Bison are social animals and live in herds. The size of a herd can vary from a few animals to several thousand. Bison are nomadic and will travel great distances in search of food and water.
Bison are hunted for their meat and hides. The animals are also used for their manure, which is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus and is excellent for fertilizing crops.
The bison is a large, grazing mammal that once roamed across North America in huge herds. Bison were an important part of the diet and culture of many Native American tribes, and their hides were used for clothing and shelter. The arrival of European settlers in the 1800s led to the mass slaughter of bison, and by the early 1900s, the species was nearly extinct. Thanks to conservation efforts, bison populations have rebounded and the animals are once again a common sight in many parts of the United States.
