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KS update 1.2
{{Taxobox
| name = American bison
| status = NT
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref =<ref name="iucn">{{IUCN2008|assessors=Gates, C. & Aune, K|year=2008|id=2815|title=Bison bison|downloaded= November 10, 2008}}Database entry includes a note of why this species has "near threatened" status.</ref>
| image = American bison k5680-1.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = American bison
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Artiodactyla]]
| familia = [[Bovidae]]
| genus = ''[[Bison]]''
| binomial = ''Bison bison''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758)}}
[[File:Muybridge Buffalo galloping.gif|200px|right|thumb]]
The '''American bison''' ('''American buffalo''' or just '''buffalo''') is a [[bovine]] [[mammal]]. "Buffalo" is something of a mistake (a 'misnomer') as it is only distantly related to the [[water buffalo]] and the [[African buffalo]].
Bison are a [[keystone species]]. Their staple foods are [[grass]]es and [[sedge]]s. They once roamed the [[North America]]n continent in great herds, and their [[grazing]] helped shape the [[ecology]] of the [[Great Plains]]. The bisons has a large head with relatively small, curving horns. Its dark brown coat is long and shaggy on the forequarters, including the front legs, neck, and shoulders, while the rest of the body has shorter, finer hair.
American bison live in river [[valley]]s, and on [[prairie]]s and plains. Typical [[habitat]] is open or semi-open [[grassland]], as well as [[sage]]brush, semi-[[arid]] lands and [[scrubland]]s. Bison will also graze in hilly or mountainous areas where the slopes are not steep. Though not particularly known as high altitude animals, bison in the [[Yellowstone Park]] are frequently found at elevations above 8,000 feet and the [[Henry Mountains]] bison herd is found on the plains around the Henry Mountains, Utah, as well as in mountain valleys of the Henry Mountains to an altitude of 10,000 feet.
Although bison once roamed across [[North America]], they are now ecologically extinct over most of their historic range. They live on in a few [[national park]]s and other small wildlife areas.
The American bison is often used in North America in official seals, flags, and logos. In 2016, the American bison became the [[National symbols of the United States|national mammal of the United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2016/04/27/how-the-bison-once-nearing-extinction-lived-to-become-americas-national-mammal/|newspaper=Washington Post|author=Elahe Izadi|title=It's official: America's first national mammal is the bison|date=May 9, 2016}}</ref>
==As livestock==
[[File:Frozen buffalo burger patties.jpg|thumb|Ground bison patties]]
Bisons have been used as [[livestock]]. They are known for having cattle-like meats, but it is leaner and slightly sweeter than [[beef]].
==Beefalo==
[[File:Beefalo.jpg|thumb|Beefalo hybrid]]
They can interbreed with cattle to make a hybrid known as the beefalo.
==References==
{{commons|Bison bison}}
{{Reflist}}
{{biology-stub}}
[[Category:Bovines]]
[[Category:Symbols of the United States]]
[[Category:Symbols of Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Symbols of Kansas]]
[[Category:Mammals of North America]]