The North American Bison

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From 1600 to 1870 there was a population of about 30 million buffalo in America. Most of us know what happened to the greater share of these magnificent animals. These animals have a life span of 15-20 years, and a body length of about 112 inches. The male of the species can get up to 2000 pounds and the female about 1000. The Gestation of a mature two-year-old female is 9-91/2 months. A newborn buffalo can keep up with the herd 2-3 hours after birth. In 1905 private ranches and preserves held a population of 700. The federal government held another 100 in Yellowstone National Park. By 1930, with the help of the American Buffalo Society and president Theodore Roosevelt, there were about eight public herds, some in Oklahoma, Washington D.C, and South Dakota. Today the species is not extinct but is classified as "near threatened". There are about 2,500 roaming the grasslands of the Yellowstone National Park.