Thinkabara🦬 American Bison Facts for Kids
🐾 Mammals Grades K–5
The American bison is a plant-eating mammal that lives in North America. The bison is the national mammal of the United States (since 2016).
🦬 American Bison fact file
- Scientific name
- Bison bison
- Animal group
- Mammal
- Where it lives
- North America
- Habitat
- Prairies and grasslands — Yellowstone is one of the best places to see wild herds
- Diet
- Herbivore (plant-eater) — Grass and sedges
- Size
- Up to about 6 feet tall at the shoulder and 10–12 feet long
- Weight
- Females about 1,000 lb; males up to about 2,000 lb
- Life span
- About 15–20 years
- Status
- Recovering after nearly disappearing
📏 A male bison weighs about as much as a small car.
⭐ 5 fun facts about American bison
- The bison is the national mammal of the United States (since 2016).
- It is the heaviest land animal in North America.
- Tens of millions of bison once roamed North America, but by the late 1800s only a few hundred were left in the wild. Today the population has grown back to hundreds of thousands.
- Bison can run about 35 miles per hour and jump fences.
- They roll in dirt (“wallowing”) to get rid of bugs and old fur.
Where do American bison live?
Wild American bison are found in North America. Prairies and grasslands — Yellowstone is one of the best places to see wild herds. If you want to see one in the United States, you might spot one in the wild — or visit a zoo or wildlife park.
What do American bison eat?
American bison are herbivores, which means they eat plants. Their menu: grass and sedges.
Is the American bison endangered?
Status: Recovering after nearly disappearing. Scientists are still learning how many there are in the wild. You can help wild animals by learning about them, saving energy, cutting down on plastic and supporting zoos, aquariums and parks that protect wildlife.
American Bison quiz
What is special about the bison in the United States?
What kind of eater is the American bison?
What kind of animal is the American bison?
On which continent can you find wild American bison?
✏️ Write about the American bison
1. The most surprising fact I learned is…
2. If I could ask an American bison one question, I would ask…
3. Draw the American bison in its habitat:
American Bison questions kids ask
Where do American bison live?
American bison live in North America. Their habitat: Prairies and grasslands — Yellowstone is one of the best places to see wild herds.
What do American bison eat?
American bison are herbivores (plant-eater). They eat: Grass and sedges.
How big is an American bison?
Up to about 6 feet tall at the shoulder and 10–12 feet long. Weight: Females about 1,000 lb; males up to about 2,000 lb. A male bison weighs about as much as a small car.
How long do American bison live?
About 15–20 years.
Is the American bison endangered?
Its conservation status is: Recovering after nearly disappearing. Scientists are still learning how many there are in the wild.
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