North AmericaNear threatened
American bison
Bison bison
The heaviest land animal in North America. Herds once covered the Great Plains in their millions.
- Weight
- Up to 900 kg
- Size
- 3.5 m long
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
- Top speed
- 55 km/h
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Mammal group
- Placental
How heavy is that?
As heavy as 23 kids (40 kg each)
Where it lives
Three things to know
- Can jump almost 2 m high.
- Rolls in dust to keep insects away.
- Calves can run a few hours after birth.
Compare with…
- Weight
- American bison900 kgA 10-year-old kid40 kgThe bison weighs about 23× as much as the kid
- Size
- American bison3.5 mA 10-year-old kid1.4 mThe bison is about 2.5× as big as the kid
- Top speed
- American bison55 km/hA 10-year-old kid20 km/hThe bison is about 2.8× as fast as the kid
- Lifespan
- American bison20 yrsA 10-year-old kid80 yrsThe kid can live about 4× as long as the bison
Food chain
- GrassProducer
American bisonThis animal- Wolf