All About Buffalo
Lifespan
The typical lifespan of a buffalo ranges from 10 to 20 years, but this may vary among herds based on management plans
Diet:
Grasses, sedges, forbs (weeds and herbaceous, broad-leafed plants) and browse (the leaves, stems, and twigs of woody plants)
Size:
Males (bulls) weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Females (cows) weigh up to 1,100 pounds. The size of a buffalo may depend on geographic range
Reproduction:
Mate in late July through August; give birth to one calf in late April or May
Description
Bison are the largest land mammals in North America, with males weighing up to 2,000 lbs (900 kg) and females about half that. Both have dark brown fur, long on the foreparts and shorter on the flanks and hindquarters. Newborn calves are reddish-tan and turn brown by 2-½ months. Both males and females have short, upward-curving horns, with males' slightly longer.
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All bison have a distinctive shoulder hump and strong neck muscles for clearing snow while foraging. They are agile, can swim well, run up to 35 mph (55 kph), jump 5 feet (1.5 m), and have excellent senses of hearing, vision, and smell.
Behavior
Bison are mostly active during the day and dusk but can also be active at night. They are social animals that form herds, usually led by older females. In winter, herds average around 20, but this grows to about 200 in summer and can reach up to 1,000 during the July-August breeding season, or rut. Bison reach sexual maturity at age two, but older males (over 7 years) do most of the breeding.
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During the rut, mature males display dominance by bellowing, wallowing, and fighting other bulls to earn the right to mate. Once a bull finds a female nearing estrus, he stays by her until mating, then moves on. After the rut, males spend the rest of the year alone or in small groups, and herd sizes shrink in autumn, reaching their smallest in March and April.
Cultural Significance
The American buffalo, also known as bison, has always held great meaning for Tribal people. To Tribal people, buffalo represent their spirit and remind them of how their lives were once lived, free and in harmony with nature. In the 1800s, European settlers recognized the reliance Tribes had on the buffalo. Thus, began the systematic destruction of the buffalo to try to subjugate the western Tribal nations. The slaughter of over 60 million buffalo left only a few hundred buffalo remaining.
Without buffalo, the independent life of the Indian people could no longer be maintained. The Tribal spirit, along with that of the buffalo, suffered an enormous loss. At that time, Tribes began to sign treaties with the U.S. Government in an attempt to protect the land and the buffalo for their future generations. The destruction of the buffalo herds and the associated devastation to the Tribes disrupted the self-sufficient lifestyle of Indian people more than all other federal policies to date. To reestablish healthy buffalo populations on Tribal lands is to reestablish hope for Tribal people. Members of the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC) understand that reintroduction of the buffalo to Tribal lands will help heal the spirit of both the Tribal people and the buffalo.
Ecological Benefits
Soil Health
Vegetation Management
Bison contribute to nutrient cycling by trampling plants into the soil, which promotes decomposition and nutrient return. Their dung also adds organic matter and acts as a natural fertilizer, enhancing soil health
Bison grazing patterns create a mosaic of plant heights and species diversity. Their selective grazing allows less dominant plant species to thrive, encouraging plant diversity and preventing any one species from dominating
Seed Dispersal
Bison help disperse seeds through their fur and droppings, promoting the growth of various plant species across the landscape
Water Regulation
By wallowing—rolling in the dirt and creating depressions—bison help shape the landscape in ways that create small water catchments. These wallows can become mini-wetlands that store rainwater, support aquatic life, and provide water for other species
Wildlife Habitat
The diverse plant life created by bison grazing patterns supports a wide range of wildlife. Birds, insects, and small mammals all benefit from the variety of habitats that emerge in areas where bison roam
Biodiversity Boost
By creating varied plant structures and encouraging growth in both grasses and wildflowers, bison support biodiversity across different species, from pollinators to large mammals
Carbon Sequestration
Healthy grasslands, which bison help maintain, are significant carbon sinks. The growth and health of these grasses contribute to the capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, aiding in climate regulation