Scientific Name: Bison bison
Habitat: When there were wild herds, Bison could be found on the plains, in mountain parks, and western basins.* They also lived in forests and above timberlines.* Bison lived in huge herds and migrated, following the grass supply.*
Diet: grass and hay
Coloration: Adults are dark brown* and calves are a lighter brown.
Mating: Breeding takes place in late summer and the dominant bull breeds with several cows.* The gestation period is 9 1/2 months and the cows give birth to a single calf.* Cows are ready to begin breeding when they are 3 years old and bulls wait until they are 7 or 8, until they have "sufficient status" in the herd.*
Fun Facts: The bison you see today are considered to be livestock *because the only place you will see them are on a ranch or farm (the proper name for these animals would be Buffalo). They are the largest of the hooved mammals in Colorado, with bulls 10 feet long (excluding the 20 inch tail) weighing almost 1 ton and cows 6+ feet long, weighing up to 1,000 pounds.* Both sexes have horns, a shaggy head, and that huge hump over their shoulders.* Buffalo can live 20-30 years. Buffalo are smaller than bison and are cross bred with another animal. What animal? Vote on the poll and check back next week to see if you're right!
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