FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



American Bison. — Bison bison 



and related subspecies 



Names. — American Bison; American Buffalo. Plate XLV. 



General Description. — A very large bovine with long shaggy- 

 hair; short curved horns; high hump at the shoulder; and long 

 hair on head and chin, especially heavy on males. 



Color. — ^A slight difference in color between sexes. Males 

 dark brown on head, lower neck, legs and tail, lighter brown 



Fig. 117. Bison 



on rest of upperparts. Females with less contrast between 

 shades of brown on head and back, otherwise like males. 



Immature. — ^Yellowish brown or dull reddish yellow at 

 birth, like female at end of six months, then deep glossy brown 

 at two year old stage, followed by the lighter colors of adult 

 pelages. 



Measurements. — Males decidedly larger than females. 

 Bulls, — Total length, about 11 feet; tail vertebr£e, 24 inches; 

 hind foot, 24 inches; height at shoulder, about 70 inches; 

 weight 1800 pounds average, reaching more than 2200 for 

 big, old bulls. Cows. — Total length, about 7 feet; tail verte- 

 brae, 18 inches; hind foot, 20 inches; height at shoulder, about 

 60 inches; weight about 800 to 1200 pounds. 



Geographical Distribution. — Formerly over most of the 

 Great Plains section from Texas north to about 60° and from 

 the Rocky Mountains across the Mississippi; existing today 



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