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Bison Habitat

Today there are approximately 30,000 bison in herds on public and private lands in North America. This number is significantly smaller than the 30 to 60 million bison which roamed across the country prior to the 1800s and the subsequent settling of America. Bison are the largest land animal in North America, and require access to acres of open grasslands. For that reason, bison herds are now primarily found in national parks and refuges on the plains and prairies of North America.

In the United States
- Bison herds can be found in parks in Wyoming, Montana, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota, Iowa and Canada. Bison prefer large swaths of open land on plains and prairies with access to river valleys. Bison also need access to dirt areas, often near sources of water, in which to wallow. Wallowing is when bison roll in the dirt to remove matted hair, and to help protect them from insect bites. Yellowstone National Park is an example of ideal habitat for bison, with its abundance of open land for grazing and access to a variety of water sources. Approximately 3,000 bison live in Yellowstone.
Diet
- Bison graze on grasses and sedges. They essentially follow the grass as they roam through an area, moving as they eat. In this way, in the wild, they do not overgraze any particular area, allowing the grass to regrow before they might circle back to it to eat again. The ideal habitat for bison, therefore, includes access to large amounts of grassland acres. In the winter, bison primarily forage on sedges.
Climate
- Bison are suited for both hot, dry summer climates and frigid, snowy winter climates. As plains animals, they are built to withstand extreme temperatures. In winter, they use their hooves and large heads to move snow off of vegetation so they can eat. They have thick skin, layers of fat and an underfur to help them stay warm during cold months. When raised in captivity, bison can adapt to most climates in the United States.
In Captivity
- Bison are raised by farmers for their meat. In captivity, bison still need access to large amounts of grassland. By nature they do not overgraze, and prefer to move from acre to acre as they eat. They do not require any type of special shelter in captivity, as they are accustomed to adapting to most weather conditions. They will need access to a reliable water source, and ideally will still be able to engage in wallowing in dirt areas. It should also be noted that bison can carry a disease called brucellosis, which can be transmitted to other domesticated livestock such as cattle.

Animals & Science