Lone Winter Bison in Grand Teton National Park Photograph

Description

Lone Winter Bison in Grand Teton National Park.  The bison’s winter coat is so thick and insulating, snow doesn’t melt from its own body heat. This is a big advantage in this part of Wyoming where we average 214” (18ft) of snow per year!  Prior to 1800, more than 60 million bison roamed the plains of North America… But by the end of the 19th century, fewer than 600 remained.  This animal’s true name is the American bison, but most people call them buffalo. Bison are the largest terrestrial animal in North America. They can stand up to six feet (1.8 meters) tall. A male can weigh upwards of a ton (900 kilograms), and a female can weigh about 900 pounds (400 kilograms). Along with their formidable size, bison have several unique traits that help to identify them. One of the most noticeable is the hump on their shoulders. Another characteristic is their deep brown fur, which can grow very long, especially around the face and head. Bison also grow a long beard and mane. The head of a bison is very large with a thick skull. Bison fight by crashing their heads or horns together. Both male and female bison have short, curved, black horns, which can grow to two feet (0.6 meters) long.