Bison Facts: Behavior, Conservation & Abilities

American bison are the largest land mammals in North America and once numbered 30 to 60 million across the Great Plains. By 1890, commercial hunting reduced the population to fewer than 1,000 individuals, bringing bison to the edge of extinction. Thanks to conservation efforts, approximately 500,000 bison exist today, though most live on private ranches. Yellowstone National Park maintains one of the few genetically pure wild herds.

How Bison Came Back From 1,000 to Half a Million

The bison recovery is one of conservation's greatest success stories. In the late 1800s, a handful of ranchers and conservationists protected the last remaining bison from extinction. Yellowstone National Park received 21 bison in 1902 to rebuild the wild population. Today, conservation herds in national parks and tribal lands preserve genetically pure bison, while commercial ranches raise hundreds of thousands for meat production.

Why Bison Run Toward Storms Instead of Away

Unlike cattle that turn away from storms, bison instinctively run directly into approaching weather systems. This behavior minimizes their time in the storm because they move through it faster. Cattle that run away from storms end up traveling alongside the weather, prolonging their exposure. This unique instinct demonstrates how bison evolved to survive harsh prairie conditions where shelter is scarce.

The Surprising Agility Hiding in 2,000 Pounds

Despite weighing up to 2,200 pounds, bison are remarkably athletic. They can sprint at 35 mph, faster than horses over short distances. Bison can jump vertical fences 6 feet high from a standstill. They spin quickly and change direction despite their bulk. This combination of size, speed, and agility makes bison dangerous when threatened, causing more Yellowstone injuries than bears.

How Bison Survive 40°F Below Zero

Bison possess incredible winter adaptations that allow survival in extreme cold without shelter. Their thick, shaggy winter coat has two layers: long guard hairs that shed water and snow, plus dense underfur that traps heat. Bison also have a massive hump of muscle and fat that insulates vital organs. They use their huge heads like snowplows to sweep away snow and reach buried grass.

Why Bison Create Wallows and Dust Baths

Bison roll in dirt to create shallow depressions called wallows that become vital prairie ecosystems. These dust baths help bison shed winter coats, regulate body temperature, and repel insects. Wallows collect rainwater, creating small ponds that support prairie plants, insects, and amphibians. This wallowing behavior shaped the Great Plains landscape and biodiversity for thousands of years.

The Sacred Connection Between Bison and Native Tribes

For centuries, Plains tribes depended on bison for survival, using every part for food, clothing, shelter, tools, and ceremonies. Tribes considered bison sacred relatives rather than mere resources. The near extinction of bison was a deliberate strategy to force Native Americans onto reservations by destroying their primary food source. Today, many tribes actively restore bison to their ancestral lands.