American Bison calf

Description:

Bison are huge animals, ranging in length from 3.6 m to 3.8 m in males to 2.13 m to 3.18 m in females. They are also tall animals, with the height at the shoulder ranging from 1.67 m to 1.86 m for males and 1.52 m to 1.57 m in females. Two distinctive features of bison are the shoulder hump and their huge head. Fur color is brown, varying slightly from the front and back of the animal. The hair is longer in the front than in the rear. The distinction between hair length is most noticeable in males. The horns are black, curving upward and inward and ending in a sharp tip. The hooves are black and circular in shape (Meagher, 1986).

Habitat:

Pasture alongside Interstate 35 West north if Ft. Worth.

Notes:

Bison are born away from the herd in a location that has a lot of cover. Mothers protect the young from danger; males do not participate in this activity. One calf is born per season, weighing from 15 to 25 kg. Male calves are born slightly more frequently than females. Young calves are red in color. They begin turning brown in two and a half months and are entirely brown in four months. Calves are nursed for seven to eight months and are fully weaned by the end of the first year.