plains bison
Grassland herd bovine
The plains bison is a subspecies of American bison that once roamed the Great Plains in vast herds numbering in the millions.
Larger and more numerous than the wood bison of northern forests, plains bison were hunted nearly to extinction in the 19th century.
Conservation efforts have restored small populations, though they remain a fraction of historical numbers.
We saw plains bison grazing in Yellowstone.
Large North American bovine
Open grassy flatland
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
- steppeTreeless Eurasian grassland
- rangeExtent of variation
- flatlandLevel, unvaried terrain
savanna · meadow · badlands · open range · shortgrass · tallgrass · North America · grazing land
Seek food actively
- grassNarrow-leaved ground cover
- vegetationPlant life collectively
- browseSurvey without intent
- cudRechewed stomach contents
rumination · wallowing · grazer · sedge · seasonal migration
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- reintroductionAct of bringing back
overhunting · habitat loss · protection · preservation · wildlife management · Yellowstone · national parks · captive breeding
Frenzied mass flight
- migrationMovement to new territory
- groupingArrangement by shared traits
- socialConcerning community life
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
matriarch · calving · rutting · wallows · dust bath · hoofbeats · thundering · gathering
Worthy of reverence
- IndigenousOriginal inhabitants of land
- LakotaWestern Sioux people
- BlackfootPlains Algonquian nation
- ComancheSouthern Plains indigenous nation
buffalo hunt · pemmican · buffalo robe · spiritual · ceremony · traditional hunting · buffalo jump · sustenance
Extremely large and heavy
- shaggyLong, coarse, untidy
- humpRounded raised mass
- hornsBony animal projections
- beardFacial hair growth
woolly · dark brown · thick hide · powerful · muscular · curved horns · heavy · stocky
buffalo
Large North American bovine
mammal · herbivore · bull · cow · calf · heifer · megafauna · grazer
prairie
Open grassy flatland
flatland · savanna · meadow · badlands · open range · shortgrass · tallgrass · North America · grazing land · windswept
forage
Seek food actively
- grassNarrow-leaved ground cover
- vegetationPlant life collectively
- browseSurvey without intent
cud · rumination · wallowing · grazer · sedge · seasonal migration
endangered
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
reintroduction · overhunting · habitat loss · protection · preservation · wildlife management · Yellowstone · national parks · captive breeding · species survival
stampede
Frenzied mass flight
- migrationMovement to new territory
- groupingArrangement by shared traits
- socialConcerning community life
dominance · matriarch · calving · rutting · wallows · dust bath · hoofbeats · thundering · gathering
sacred
Worthy of reverence
- IndigenousOriginal inhabitants of land
- LakotaWestern Sioux people
- BlackfootPlains Algonquian nation
Comanche · buffalo hunt · pemmican · buffalo robe · spiritual · ceremony · traditional hunting · buffalo jump · sustenance · tribal culture
massive
Extremely large and heavy
beard · woolly · dark brown · thick hide · powerful · muscular · curved horns · heavy · stocky · winter coat
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