Bison Day – November 05

Bison Day – November 05

National Bison Day, on the first Saturday in November, honors one of the most majestic beasts to roam the land. This is a national day celebrated by Americans. But this mammal is very important to the world because of it`s biological and cultural value. Historically bison were the dominant grazer on the northern giant plains landscape.

The bison ( Bison bison) is the largest land mammal in North America, with males weighing up to 900Kgs and standing up to 2 meters tall while cows may be smaller at 320Kgs and up to 1.5 meters tall, they are still mighty powerful. However, Bison only live up to 20 years.

The dark brown to black, thick shaggy coat of the full grown bison keeps them warm during long, cold winters on the plains. When they are born, the calves have reddish coats.

Bison live in small groups, or bands, whose basic unit is one or more females and several generations of their offspring. Adult males live on the band’s periphery or form their own small groups. Large temporary herds of bison may arise from the congregation of dozens or even hundreds of individual bands. All members of the band protect the young. Bison herds undertake short seasonal migrations.

Hunters nearly decimated Bison by the 1800s. Now, bison populate all 50 states of America living in national parks, refuges and on tribal and private lands.   

– Source: Internet –