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NORTH AMERICAN BISON
Background
Buffalo or Bison?
The name bison and buffalo are commonly used interchangeably, but they are completely different animals from different parts of the world. Buffalo are native to both Asia and Africa, whereas bison are native to North America and Europe. Aside from geographical differences, they contrast physically. Buffalo do not have the large shoulder hump which bison are distinctly known for; bison also have noticeable beards and are overall a more scruffy looking animal; Buffalo have very large horns and a smoother coat of fur. Something they do have in common is their family - bison and buffalo are both part of the Bovidae family (cloven-hooves).
Wood bison vs Plains bison?
The natural habitat of the Wood bison is within the Boreal Forest, most primarily ranging from the western most tips of Alaska, going through Yukon and the northeastern areas of British Columbia. They also reach the southern areas of the Northwest Territories and the Northern lands of Alberta and Saskatchewan. On the other hand, the Plains bison can be found more widely across North America in the Great Plains, stretching as far north as the prairie provinces of Canada, south all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico, and east towards the Appalachian range.
Aside from their geographical differences, they can be visually differentiated. The Wood bison can be identified by its prominent square hump, messy tuff of hair on the top of their head, thin and pointy beard, and tall horns. In contrast, the Plains bison has a round-shaped hump, dense wooly bonnet between its horns, thick beard and full throat mane, distinguished cape on its shoulders, shorter horns, and hairy chaps. In addition, the average Wood bull is significantly heavier, such being a few hundred kilograms heavier than the average Plains bull
Where did bison come from?
The species of bison which currently live in North America were first recognized in Asia. It is believed that the first species arrived around 195,000 to 135,000 years from eastern Siberia, followed by a second wave from the same geographical area just 14,000 to 11,000 years ago.
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