Bison
Adult bison are dark brown, have a massive hump over the shoulders, a shaggy head, and horns on both sexes. Calves are born a red-brown color.
About This Species
Bison, America's national mammal and the largest Colorado mammal, are no longer found wild in the state. Today, captive bison herds in Colorado are officially called "livestock," not wildlife. The last of Colorado's wild bison were killed in in South Park in 1897.
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Size
Bull bison are 10 feet long (not counting the 20 inch tail), and can weigh over a ton; cows are more than six feet long and weigh up to 1,000 pounds. When born, bison calves weigh 50-70 pounds.
Color
Adult bison are dark brown, have a massive hump over the shoulders, a shaggy head, and horns on both sexes. Calves are born a red-brown color.
Range
Once bison lived nearly statewide in Colorado, most abundant on the plains, in the mountain parks and western basins. They also lived in forests and above timberline. Bison were migratory, moving in huge herds in a vast circuit across the plains, responding to the opportunity of new grass just beyond the horizon.
Habitat
Bison can live on the plains, in the high mountain valleys, in forests, and above timberline.
Diet
Bison are herbivores who spend half their day foraging for grasses, weeds, and leafy plants.
Reproduction
Bison breed in late summer. Dominant bulls mate with several cows. A single calf is born after a gestation period of about 9 1/2 months. Cows are mature and breed at three years old; bulls seldom have sufficient status to breed until they are seven or eight. Longevity is 20-30 years.
Threats to Species
While wolves and grizzly bears are natural predators of young, old, or sick bison, their large size and herding habits protect bison from most non-human predators.