Animals

AMERICAN BISON

There is often lots of confusion regarding the name of this animal. Are they bison or buffalo? Early French settlers called them bison because they resembled the European Bison (or Wisent), but an English naturalist later described them as buffalo. Most scientists prefer using their scientific name (Bison bison), however, a popular common name is American Buffalo. Bison are not true buffalo, however, which include the African Cape Buffalo and the Asian Water Buffalo.

American Bison originally came to North America long ago across a land bridge from Asia. They lived mostly on the Great Plains in enormous herds. Today they only live in small numbers, protected in parks and reserves. While there are still small herds in Colorado, these pictures were taken in Custer State Park in South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

While these animals may look like big cuddly cows, they are very dangerous, and many people get hurt every year because they tried to pet one.

A herd grazes in an open field...

...but they have no problem foraging among the trees as well.

Traffic can get a little hairy around these parts!

Nothing beats a morning dust bath.

Calves are born in the spring and are often yellowish-red in color.




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