Arizona Bison

Buffalo, or Bison, are the largest living member in the cow family. Live adult weights range from 1,400 to 2,500 pounds for males and 750 to 1,600 pounds for females. Male buffalo have massive appearing front quarters with a large hump above the shoulders; these are covered with woolly hair up to 1.5 inches long that also covers the head and forelegs. This hair will turn tan with age and is two to five times thicker than hind quarter hair. The head has a broad triangular appearance with a beard. Calves are reddish-tan at birth and change to brown or black at three months. The hump and horns begin developing at six months age. Both males and females exhibit horns. Male horns can reach 20" long. Female horns are always smaller. Smell and hearing is acute, while eyesight is poor. Adult buffalo can run sprints of 35 mph for up to 1/4 of a mile and they can run longer distances at slower speeds. Buffalo are also capable of jumping over 6 foot high fences without touching the fence. While buffalo may live as long as 28 years, few attain the age of 12 to 15 years. They are gregarious and can form large herd groups. Herd groups are unstable and group composition changes constantly. Herd groups are dominated by a matriarchal female, except during breeding.

Adult buffalo eat approximately 35 pounds per day. Although local variations in forage availability and preferences occur, they will shift toward the most abundant forage; eating grasses, forbs, and browse.