American Bison

American Bison. . , This herd traces its roots to 1962, when Walt Disney donated a herd of American Bison to William S. Hart Regional Park. To discourage inbreeding, the County of Los Angeles has exchanged some of its animals with other facilities over the years; thus, the bison you see today are not all related by blood to the original Disney herd. , Often incorrectly called "buffalo,” bison are native to the Midwestern prairies and may live up to 40 years in captivity. In 2016, the American Bison was designated the national mammal of the United States. , This herd retains many of its wild characteristics. If a bison’s tail hangs down and swings naturally, the animal is calm. If the tail stands straight up, it might be ready to charge. Bison are highly unpredictable and can be dangerous. They can spin quickly, jump up to 6 feet, and run at speeds up to 35 mph. They have poor eyesight, but have excellent senses of smell and hearing. The largest North American mammals, bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds - larger than grizzly bears, moose or elk. They spend 9 to 11 hours foraging on grasses and weeds, consuming about 1.6 percent of their total body weight daily. If you see bison rolling in the dirt, they are likely wallowing to shed flies and fur. Male bison also wallow during mating season to mask their scent and display strength. At birth, the young weigh about 30 pounds and have reddish-orange fur which turns dark brown as they mature. , Please treat the bison respectfully and do not feed them, as they have strict dietary requirements.