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The '''American bison''' (also called '''American buffalo''' or just '''buffalo''') is a species of [[bison]], a [[bovine]] [[mammal]]. The name "buffalo" is a [[:misnomer|misnomer]], because the bison is only distantly related to the [[water buffalo]] and the [[African buffalo]].  

The '''American bison''' (also called '''American buffalo''' or just '''buffalo''') is a species of [[bison]], a [[bovine]] [[mammal]]. The name "buffalo" is a [[:misnomer|misnomer]], because the bison 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.

Bison are a [[keystone species]]. They once roamed the [[North America]]n [[continent]] in great herds, and their [[grazing]] helped in shaping the [[ecology]] of the [[Great Plains]]. However, buffalo hunters killed a massive number of bison. There used to be as many as 30 million bison in the United States, but because of hunting, by the year 1890, only 1,000 bison were left.<ref name=":0" />

The bison has a large head with relatively small, curving [[Horn (anatomy)|horns]]. Its dark brown coat is long and shaggy on the forequarters, including the front legs, [[Neck (body part)|neck]], and [[Shoulder|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 {{convert|38000|ft}} 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 {{convert|10000|ft}}.

American bison live in river [[valley]]s, on [[prairie]]s, and on [[Plain|plains]].  Their 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.   

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.

Although bison once roamed across [[North America]], they are now ecologically [[Extinction|extinct]] over most of their historic range. They live on in a few [[national park]]s and other small [[wildlife]] areas.

There used to be as many as 30 million bison in the United States, but because of hunting, by 1890, only 1,000 bison were left.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://animals.howstuffworks.com/endangered-species/bison-extinction.htm |last=Conger |first=Cristen |title= What brought bison back from the brink of extinction? |date=2 October 2008 |publisher=HowStuffWorks.com}}</ref> Through [[conservation]] efforts, there are now more American bison than there used to be, but still far fewer than there were before the 1800s.

There used to be as many as 30 million bison in the United States, but because of hunting, by 1890, only 1,000 bison were left.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url= http://animals.howstuffworks.com/endangered-species/bison-extinction.htm |last=Conger |first=Cristen |title= What brought bison back from the brink of extinction? |date=2 October 2008 |publisher=HowStuffWorks.com}}</ref> Through [[conservation]] efforts, there are now more American bison than there used to be, but still far fewer than there were before the 1800s.

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>

The American bison is often used in North America in official [[Seal (device)|seals]], [[Flag|flags]], and [[Logo|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 ==

== As livestock ==

[[File:Frozen buffalo burger patties.jpg|thumb|Ground bison patties]]

[[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]].

Bisons have been used as [[livestock]]. They are known for having cattle-like [[meat]], but it is leaner and slightly sweeter than [[beef]].

== The beefalo ==

== The beefalo ==

{{main|Beefalo}}

{{main|Beefalo}}

[[File:Beefalo.jpg|thumb|Beefalo hybrid]]

[[File:Beefalo.jpg|thumb|Beefalo hybrid]]

They can interbreed with [[cattle]] to make a [[hybrid]] known as the [[beefalo]].

Bisons can interbreed with [[cattle]] to make a [[hybrid]] known as the [[beefalo]].

== American Bison Media ==

== American Bison Media ==