Endemic to North America, the American Bison is a herbivore species inhabiting grasslands, plains habitats. Weighing 318–1000 kg, it is classified as Near Threatened.
Physical Characteristics & Habitat
Size & Speed
| Metric | American Bison | Herbivore Mammals Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 659 kg | 117.3 kg | ↑ 462% |
| Height | 169 cm | — | — |
| Top Speed | 56 km/h | 40 km/h | ↑ 40% |
| Avg Speed | 48 km/h | — | — |
Habitat & Distribution
The American Bison inhabits grasslands, plains habitats. It can be found in North America.
Typical coloring: Brown.
Diet & Predators
Behavior & Reproduction
Social Structure
The American Bison is a group-based species belonging to the Bovidae family.
Reproduction
Conservation & Comparison
IUCN Conservation Status
NT The American Bison is classified as Near Threatened. There are 14 species with the same status in our database.
Species Comparison
Among 50 herbivore mammals, the American Bison’s weight of 318–1000 kg is significantly higher than the group median of 117.3 kg.
Weight rank: #3 of 14 Near Threatened species.
| # | Species | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Rhinoceros | 1800–2500 kg | NT |
| 2 | Narwhal | Up to 1600 kg | NT |
| 3 | American Bison | 318–1000 kg | NT |
| 4 | Markhor | Up to 110 kg | NT |
| 5 | Gerenuk | 28–52 kg | NT |
Related Species
How much does a American Bison weigh?
A American Bison typically weighs 318–1000 kg, which is exceptionally high compared to the median of 117.3 kg among herbivore mammals.
What is the conservation status of the American Bison?
The American Bison is classified as “Near Threatened”. There are 14 species with the same status in our database.
Where does the American Bison live?
The American Bison is found in North America, in grasslands, plains habitats.
How does the American Bison reproduce?
The American Bison has a gestation period of 270–290 days and typically produces 1 offspring per birth.
Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026