The American bison, also known as buffalo, is the largest terrestrial mammal in North America.

With an adult male measuring up to 3.5 meters in length and weighing over a ton, and a female reaching nearly 3 meters and weighing over 600 kilograms, these powerful creatures have a shoulder height that typically exceeds 1.5 meters, with some individuals even reaching 2 meters. It is worth noting that bison in captive or semi-captive environments may grow larger.

Out of the known bison species, six have gone extinct. The American bison is one of the two remaining species, the other being the European bison (B.bonasus) which is found in Eurasia.

The evolution of the bison genus is quite complex and still not fully understood by zoologists. The most widely accepted view is that the bison genus originated in Eurasia and migrated to North America through the Bering Land Bridge during the ice age, 500,000 to 220,000 years ago.

This migration resulted in the evolution of a new species, the Longhorn Bison (B.latifrons), which was 25% to 50% larger than the modern American bison. Unfortunately, this species became extinct during the Wisconsin Ice Age, the last ice age in North America, which occurred between 30,000 to 20,000 years ago.

The American bison is not originally from America but rather descended from European bison that migrated to the continent. Over time, these bison adapted to their new environment and evolved into the species we see today.

They have well-developed and powerful muscles, big ears, and are covered in white fur. They are capable of running at speeds of over 60 kilometers per hour and have a unique and powerful combination of aggression and defense that has allowed them to survive without being domesticated by humans.

Despite their formidable appearance and abilities, the American bison faced near extinction in the late 19th century. Europeans, upon emigrating to North America, recklessly hunted and killed tens of millions of bison. By 1903, only 21 wild bison remained on the prairie. In 1905, US President Theodore Roosevelt issued a decree that put bison and other rare animals under state protection for the first time.

Thanks to this and other conservation efforts, bison herds have once again become a common sight across the prairies of North America and can be observed in many national parks.

In conclusion, the American bison is a symbol of resilience and strength, having overcome near extinction to once again roam freely across the North American landscape. It is a magnificent and fascinating creature that continues to captivate and inspire people around the world.