American Buffalo

There are only two major species of bison in the world; one is native to Europe and the other to the central plains of North America.  The American buffalo (Bison bison) is believed to have crossed over the land bridge connecting Asia and Alaska, where speciation later occurred.  Buffalo populations have been absolutely devastated by widespread hunting and habitat destruction; even by the time Lewis and Clark made estimations of the population sizes, many of the native buffalo were already gone.  However, there is a population of buffalo in Rapid City, South Dakota that is now protected from hunting and other damage by humans, and on a family vacation in summer 2009 a group of them crossed the road right in front of our car!

Buffalo crossing!

Young buffalo may continue to nurse until they are about a year old, and some buffalo live to be over twenty years old.  Most females have one offspring a year, and males establish dominance relationships while competing for mates and other resources.  Both genders have horns when fully grown.

Did you know: Buffalo meat contains significantly less fat than meat from cattle, and a buffalo moving at top speed can outrun a horse.

References: http://www.fws.gov/species/species_accounts/bio_buff.html

http://www.vistagrandranch.com/factsa.html