# Where Do American Bisons Live?

> Where american bisons live: Grasslands, plains, and prairies, native range cues, and human overlap. Status Near Threatened.

- **Species:** American Bison (*Bison bison*)
- **Conservation status:** Near Threatened
- **Diet:** Herbivore (grazer)
- **Habitat:** Grasslands, plains, and prairies
- **Lifespan:** 15–20 years in the wild
- **Top speed:** Up to 55 km/h (35 mph)
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/bison/where-do-bison-live/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/bison/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The American bison is North America's largest land mammal, with big bulls weighing up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) and standing nearly 2 m (6 ft) at the shoulder. Once numbering in the tens of millions across the Great Plains, bison were hunted nearly to extinction in the 1800s and now live mostly in parks and reserves. They are grazing herbivores that roam grasslands in herds and can run up to 55 km/h (35 mph). Wild bison typically live 15 to 20 years.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a sighting hotline. This page is native range and habitat.

## Behavior and herds

Bison are social animals that live in herds, with cows and young in one group and bulls often in smaller bachelor groups or alone outside the breeding season. During the summer rut, bulls bellow, wallow in dust, and clash heads to compete for mates. Despite their bulk, bison are surprisingly fast and agile, capable of sprinting at 55 km/h (35 mph) and jumping fences. They use wallows, shallow dust pits, to deter insects and shed fur.

## Help protect the American Bison

The american bison is listed as Near Threatened, with habitat loss the leading threat to its future.

[Donate to protect habitat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/appeals/habitats/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/bison/where-do-bison-live/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.