The bison herds of the Great Plains of North America were once the largest population of land animals in the history of the planet. One such herd could stretch for a length of 50 miles, and width – by 20. By 1890, there were only 635 bisons on Earth.
The American bison is usually called a buffalo, although it has nothing to do with real buffalo. Bison migrated to America from Asia 400 thousand years ago; And today it is the largest North American mammal: the weight of an adult male reaches a ton, the length is 10 feet, and the height is 6 feet in a powerful humpbacked withers.
Bison was discovered only in the late 19th century.
Bison are able to move so fast that not every horse can outrun them.
Despite its massive body, the bison is swimming well.
Bison produces a musky smell.
In the 19th century, people massively exterminated bison for skins and meat (hundreds of thousands of buffaloes became victims each year). Also, the hunters appreciated their tongue and hump, rich in fat. If in 1800, the number of bison was 30-40 million, then by the end of the century there were only one thousand.
Bison easily tolerate 30 degree frosts.
For a day, bison eat up to 25 kg of grass.
In captivity, bison live up to 14 years.
Bison is the largest animal in North America.
On the American gold coin “Buffalo” is depicted bison. Buffalo is an investment gold coin of the highest standard.
