Wildlife | American Bison This old Bison image, captured in the Solitude of Wind Cave NP, is one of my favorite images. He has such character in his face and head. A mature Bison makes in imposing figure. They stand 5-6 feet tall weighing 1,800 to 2,400 pounds. Bison grow a thin layer of soft fine hair and a thick outer layer of course hair. This old Bison is shedding his thick winter coat making him look very shaggy. In the fall, he’ll grow a new coat. Also, see American Bison | a 7 Image Story for more information and images.
The American Bison, also call Bison Bison, is our National Mammal and symbolic of the Great Plains. It’s largest land animal in North America. At one time millions roamed in herds across the grasslands of The Great American Prairie. They can run at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Just like much of the Great American Prairie has gone the way of the plow; so most of the Bison have gone. Today, small herds are live in Canada and the USA; mostly in state and national parks like Wind Cave NP, Custer State Park, and Yellowstone NP. With about 5,000 Bison, Yellowstone NP has North America’s largest population of wild Bison and is the only place in the United States where bison have lived continuously since the prehistoric times of the last ice age.
For the whole story with all images, see Wildlife | a 7 Image Story.
