bison: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Oct. 23, 2026

News •

Bison charges man's truck in terrifying moment at Yellowstone • Oct. 15, 2026, 1:25 PM ET (USA Today)

Facts

Also Known As	Bison

Photos and Videos

Side view illustration of an American bison, also known as plains buffalo (Bison bison), showing its large, shaggy brown body, humped shoulders, and short horns. A scale bar below indicates 30 centimeters and 12 inches for size reference.

American bison (Bison bison) standing in tall grass in Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park, with a blurred background of plains and water.

A herd of bison (Bison bonasus) grazes in tall prairie grass with mountains visible in the background.

An American bison, or plains buffalo (Bison bison), stands in tall yellow grass with open plains in the background.

American bison (Bison bison).

A large herd of bison runs together across grassy prairie land in Custer State Park, South Dakota.

European bison (Bison bonasus)

A buffalo grazes in a grassy field with the snow-capped Teton mountain range in the background in Wyoming.

Discover how European bison contribute to forest biodiversity

How is a bison different from a buffalo?

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Topics

long-horned bison steppe bison European bison American bison What’s the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?plains bison wood bison

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