Endangered Animals of North America
Save The American Bison
Information
Physical Traits
- mammal, covered in fur
- 12.5 ft in length and around 5.9 ft in height
- weighs over 1950 lb
- communicates through hearing and smelling
- male bison's horns curve slightly inward, female bison's horns are straight
- long indented teeth (ARK)
- most bison reside from Northern Mexico to Alaska
- most graze in grasslands and meadow communities (American Bison's terrains) (NG)
- live in sunny, dry climates
- live in savannas, open plains, and grasslands (ARK)
- plains, grasses, herbs, shrubs, twigs
- finds food in open plains, savannas, and in grasslands
- omnivore
- predators of the american bison are wolves and bears (NG)
- long indented teeth
- the american bison relies on his/hers ears and nose because eyes can often be covered by the bison's fur (NG)
- when in danger the bison warns the herd by grunting, snorting, growling
- live and travel in groups
- winter can be very difficult on the bison (lack of food, coldness, and young bison have high risks of dying during winter)
- use horns to defend/fight (ARK)
American Bison
Two male bisons fight to mate during mating season (Cindy Cornett Seigle, Photopin)
American Bison
A Female Bison (Dan Dzurisin, Photopin)
American Bison
A herd of American Bisons walking during the winter to keep each other safe (Harvey Barrison, Photopin)
Reasons for Endangerment and Conservation Efforts
Threats
- Bison were killed during the 1800's by hunters
- (The Great Depression had huge impact on Bison)
- Native Americans relied on Bison as their food source, so the U.S government hunted down many bison hoping the Native Americans will lose their food source and leave
- Eventually by 1890, there was less than 1000 bison in North America ( this made the American Bison endangered)
- American Bison produces many products such as skin, meat, fur, and the bones (NWF)
- national parks and wildlife areas in the U.S and Canada play an extremely important role keeping the bison safe
- the Bison Specialist Group is currently developing conservation strategies, while providing support and guidance to policy development
- the Wildlife Conservation Society is working with the federal government to provide safe areas across federal lands such as Canada and Mexico for bison to roam around (on cross-boarder bison management) (NWF)
Yellowstone's planned bison slaughter PSA