American Bison

American bison have lived on the North American continent for 10,000 years, but as hunting techniques changed, these symbols of the American West nearly became extinct. By the mid-1800s, the millions of American bison that once stampeded across the plains had been reduced to only a thousand animals. While today there are still very few free-ranging bison, regulation and conservation efforts helped to protect this amazing species. Bison can reach more than 6 feet in height and weigh up to 2,000 pounds, making them the largest land mammal in North America. Despite their enormous size, bison can run as fast as 35 mph for half an hour. Learn more in this edition of Nature Watch. Book jacket.Berman, Ruth is the author of 'American Bison', published 2008 under ISBN 9780822575139 and ISBN 0822575132.