Bison Low Poly Papercraft by Methakura

7 Jan, 2022

The bison is a large buffalo-like animal that lives in Europe and North America. The hallmark of this one animal is the thick hair on the front of its body, which makes its appearance look even bigger and fiercer.

But apart from its appearance, there are other things that are unique about the bison. Want to know anything? Come on, let's learn through the following 5 facts about bison.

1. There are 2 species still alive

The bison species that still survive today are the American bison (Bison bison) and the European bison (Bison bonasus). However, there are quite a number of other known bison species, which are sadly now extinct.

One of the most famous is the steppe bison (Bison Priscus) which looks similar to the modern bison but has larger horns. There is also a giant bison (Bison latifrons) whose body size and horns are the largest. All bison species are found inhabiting cold regions of Europe and North America.

2. Is the largest land mammal in Europe and North America

The size of the bison is not just big. If Asia and Africa have elephants as the largest land mammals, then in Europe and North America the title is held by bison. The European bison is the largest land mammal in Europe, and the American bison is the largest land mammal in the Americas.

Of the two, the European bison has the larger size. Live Science noted, the length ranges from 3 meters and weighs up to 1 ton. While the American bison measures about 2.1 meters and weighs up to 900 kg.

Although big and heavy, bison is a fast runner. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, their running speed can reach 65 km per hour! That's why they can be so dangerous, and cases of fatal attacks on humans occur every year.

3. Has a big hump on his shoulder

One of the bison's distinguishing features apart from the thick fur on the front of its body is the large, prominent hump on its shoulders. Unlike the camel's hump, the bison's hump is not composed of fat for food reserves. The bison's hump is a large muscle supported by the spine that extends upwards.

The function of the hump muscle itself is to help move its head to clear snow while walking, just like a snow-cleaning vehicle. Since all bison species live in snowy areas, this ability is very important for exploring and foraging for food.

4. Ever almost extinct because of hunting

Living in groups, having a large size, and having horns are some of the advantages that make bison have few natural predators. Only a grizzly bear or a pack of wolves has the ability to prey on them. But there is one other predator far more terrifying than them: humans.

The BBC tells us that during the 1500s, there were between 30 and 60 million bison in North America. However, the massive hunting that began in the 1700s saw their population plummet to the point of completely disappearing in some locations. They are mainly hunted for their skin and bones.

Once almost extinct, the American bison population can finally be saved. Currently, the hunting of bison has decreased, but it is difficult to restore the bison population as before. The IUCN website aka the International Union for Conservation of Nature gives the American bison a near threatened and vulnerable status for the European bison.

5. Designated as the animal symbol of the United States

In 2016, Barack Obama, who was then President of the United States, designated the American bison as the national mammal of the United States. Along with the bald eagle which is also America's symbol animal, the bison is considered worthy for its strength and because of the story of its rescue efforts that managed to prevent the extinction of this gallant animal.