American Bison or Buffalo

Bison bison

American Bison or Buffalo. Photo:Peter Mirejovsky

Bison are the largest of all the mammals found on the Canadian mainland. They occur in moderate numbers in the central provinces. In the past the bison were so bountiful that the hillsides were covered with them. Hunting has drastically reduced their number in the past, but measures have been taken to ensure the bison's survival. At first glance, bison appear greatly out of proportion, as their massive thoracic portions dwarf their slender hind portions. Bison are very gregarious by nature, preferring to remain in large groups of fifteen to twenty individuals. When they migrate, many of these groups join and form a herd of thousands of bison. A bison's diet consists of grasses, forbs, and sedges. They are preyed upon by bears, wolfs, and mountain lions.

Distribution of American Bison or Buffalo in Canada