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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]]. 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" />

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, 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" />

== Description ==

== Description ==

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.

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. Plains bison and Wood bison are the two [[subspecies]] of American bison.

Their [[Staple food|staple foods]] are [[grass]]es and [[sedge]]s.

Their [[Staple food|staple foods]] are [[grass]]es and [[sedge]]s.

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.   

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.   

Though not particularly known as high-[[altitude]] animals, bison in the [[Yellowstone Park]] are frequently found at [[Elevation|elevations]] above {{convert|38000|ft}}. The bison herd on the plains and valleys around the [[Henry Mountains]] in Utah go up to an altitude of {{convert|10000|ft}}.

Though not particularly known as high-[[altitude]] animals, bison in [[Yellowstone Park|Yellowstone National Park]] are frequently found at [[Elevation|elevations]] above {{convert|38000|ft}}. The bison herd on the plains and valleys around the [[Henry Mountains]] in Utah go up to an altitude of {{convert|10000|ft}}.

== Endangerment ==

== Endangerment and conservation ==

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.

Although bison once roamed across [[North America]], they are now ecologically [[Extinction|extinct]] over most of their historic range. Bison live 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 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.

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 [[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>

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> The American bison is also the state mammal of [[Wyoming]], [[United States]], and the provincial mammal of [[Manitoba]], [[Canada]], and is featured prominently on their flags. [[Bell MTS|Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS)]] used a bison named Morty as its [[mascot]] from 1999 to 2016.

== 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 [[meat]], but it is leaner and slightly sweeter than [[beef]].

Bison are used as [[livestock]]. Bison [[meat]] is known for being [[cattle]]-like, but 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]]

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

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

== American Bison Media ==

== American Bison Media ==

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<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>

File:American Bison AdF.jpg|Adult male (behind) and adult female (in front), in [[Yellowstone National Park]]

File:American Bison AdF.jpg|Adult male (behind) and adult female (in front), in [[Yellowstone National Park]]

File:European Bison.JPG|European Bison at Fota Wildlife Park, Ireland

File:European Bison.JPG|European Bison at Fota Wildlife Park, Ireland

File:Bison herd grazing at the National Bison Range.jpg|Bison herd grazing at the [[CSKT Bison Range]] in Montana.

File:Bison herd grazing at the National Bison Range.jpg|Bison herd grazing at the [[CSKT Bison Range]] in Montana

File:Bison fight in Grand Teton NP.jpg|Bison sparring in [[Grand Teton National Park]] in [[Moose, Wyoming]].

File:Bison fight in Grand Teton NP.jpg|Bison sparring in [[Grand Teton National Park]] in [[Moose, Wyoming]]

File:Buffalo in Chihuahua.jpg|Bison herd grazing in [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], Mexico.

File:Buffalo in Chihuahua.jpg|Bison herd grazing in [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], Mexico

File:Круиз Якутск - Ленские столбы - Тикси - Якутск, 2017 (043).jpg|Wood bison introduction program in Sakha Republic.

File:Круиз Якутск - Ленские столбы - Тикси - Якутск, 2017 (043).jpg|Wood bison introduction program in Sakha Republic

File:Bison bison grazing in snow (Yellowstone).webm|Grazing in winter, Yellowstone National Park: Bison use their heads to clear out snow for the grass

File:Bison bison grazing in snow (Yellowstone).webm|Grazing in winter, Yellowstone National Park: Bison use their heads to clear out snow for the grass