Male buffalo often weigh 2,000 lbs. or more and stand 5 to 6 feet high at the shoulders.

The huge head and great hump are covered with dark brown wooly hair that contrasts with their relatively small hips.

Despite their great size and bulk, buffalo have amazing mobility, speed, and agility and are able to sprint at speeds of 30 mph.

Buffalo have cloven hoofs. Both male and female have a single set of hollow, curved horns.

Buffalo have a life expectancy of about 20 years.

In the spring, buffalo shed their heavy winter coats. To hasten shedding and to relieve their itching skin, buffalo rub against large stones and trees. Soon their dark brown wooly winter coats hang in tatters.

Bison wallow in the dust and mud to keep cool and to sooth irritating insect bites  

Male buffalo try to prove themselves the most fit by charging each other and butting heads.. The bulls bellow hoarsely, lower their heads, and paw the earth defiantly. Bulls rarely fight to the death. Males live alone most of the year, but during the breeding season, mid-to-late summer, the bulls join the cows and young bison herd

During the winter months, buffalo use their massive heads as shovels to dig through snow to uncover dried grasses.

Bison have an excellent sense of hearing and smell.

Buffalo cannot see very well, so an entire herd can stampede if it is startled.


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