National Bison Day

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Today is a day to honor the American Bison. Also known as the buffalo it has long been honored by Native Americans and each tribe has its own special relationship with them. They are trying to develop the capacity to manage them as well as their habitats. It is known as the national mammal of the United States after President Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act into law back on May 9, 2016. The largest land mammals they weigh about a ton and stand 6 feet tall. They mature at two to three years with a lifespan of ten to twenty years. They forage for 9-11 hours each day eating grasses, weeds, and leafy plants. They can run up to 35 miles an hour and are agile being able to turn around quickly, jump high fences, and are strong swimmers. In the 18th century, there was a population of about 60 million but that was down to about 541 animals by 1889. That has grown to 31,000 as of March 2019 and they no longer are just found in parks and reserves but they now roam freely in several areas of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Picture is from preservenature.org