steppe bison

extinct mammal

Also known as: Bison priscus

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Last updated

July 22, 2026

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The steppe bison (Bison priscus) was an extinct mammal that inhabited the steppes of Eurasia and North America. Evidence from fossils suggests these bison migrated from Asia to North America across the Bering Land Bridge between 95,000 and 135,000 years ago.1

Steppes are vast, treeless grasslands characterized by hot summers and cold winters, receiving limited rainfall. These environments supported large herbivores like the steppe bison, which were adept runners with keen senses, essential for survival in open landscapes with few hiding places. The steppe bison was a significant ancestor to modern bison species, including the American bison.21

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…of what was likely a steppe bison (Bison priscus) from Yukon suggested that the first bison in North America migrated from Asia across the Bering Land Bridge sometime between 95,000 and 135,000 years ago before spreading rapidly throughout the continent. (Both the long-horned bison and the steppe bison are extinct.)…
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…of what was likely a steppe bison (Bison priscus) from Yukon suggested that the first bison in North America migrated from Asia across the Bering Land Bridge sometime between 95,000 and 135,000 years ago before spreading rapidly throughout the continent. (Both the long-horned bison and the steppe bison are extinct.)…
Read More