Discover Bison scientific name​, Genus, Meaning, and Types

What is the scientific name for a bison? In biological classification, all bison share the same genus name (Bison), but each species has a different full scientific name. For example, the scientific name of the American bison is Bison bison, and the European bison scientific name is Bison bonasus.

The bison is one of the most representative terrestrial mammals found only in the Northern Hemisphere. Abundant hunting is often confused with buffalo, but bison are a species in their own right and have their own interesting history. This guide thoroughly discusses the bison scientific name, pronunciation, biological classification, diet, acoustic habitat, and interesting facts about both the American bison and the European bison.

What Is the Scientific Name of a Bison?

Scientific names of bison depend on their species:

• American Bison: Bison bison
• European Bison: Bison bonasus

These forms are important because they enable scientists and researchers to know that these bison are not buffalo or cattle but a species by their definition.

Meaning and Pronunciation of Bison Scientific Name

What does the bison’s Scientific Name mean?

• Bison is derived from Latin and Greek, meaning “wild ox.”
• Such repetition in Bison bison refers to its being the type species of the genus Bison.
• Bonasus, from Greek, also means “ox” and refers to the European species.

How to Pronounce the Scientific Name of Bison

Bison Genus and Biological Classification

All bison belong to the genus Bison under the family Bovidae. Here is their complete biological classification:

This classification table helps students and researchers understand the taxonomy of bison. Both Bison bison and Bison bonasus are part of the Bovidae family, which includes hoofed mammals.

Where Do Bison Live? (Habitat)

American Bison Habitat

American bison were once widely distributed across North America, roaming from Canada to Mexico. These magnificent mammals are now primarily found in:

• Grasslands
• Prairies
• River valleys
• National parks such as Yellowstone

Bison-like open areas with sufficient grass and access to water.

European Bison Habitat

The habitat of the European bison (the wisent) comprises mostly:

• Temperate forests
• Mixed woodlands
• Protected reserves in several countries, including Poland, Belarus, and Russia.

What Do Bison Eat?

Bison are herbivorous ruminants, which means they chew cud as cows do.

• Primary diet: Grasses, seeds, and herbs
• Occasional food: shrubs, twigs, and leaves (especially in winter)
• Daily Intake: An adult bison can eat up to 30 pounds (14 kg) of vegetables every day.

They graze for many hours, contributing significantly to grassland maintenance.

How Do Bison Sound?

Bison communicate with many sounds:

• Grunts: used by males either to assert dominance or to attract females
• Snorts: warning, or maybe just signs of agitation
• Bellows: Low-frequency roars are heard mostly during the mating season.
• Calf bleats: high-pitched calls from calves looking for their mothers

Despite their large bodies, bison can vocalize and communicate quietly.

Types of Bison and How Big Are Bison?

Types of Bison

There are two main species of bison:

1. American Bison (Bison bison)

American Bison are found mainly in the United States and Canada. Known for:

• A big shoulder hump
• Heavy front and skinny hind quarters
• Dark brown fur

There are two subspecies:

• Plains Bison: Bison bison bison
• Wood Bison: Bison bison athabascae (bigger and found in Alaska and Canada)

2. European Bison (Bison bonasus)

They are slightly taller:

• Straighter back
• Less pronounced humps
• Shorter hair

They have a stronger preference for forests and are less cold-resistant compared with their American counterparts.

How Big Are Bison?

Bison are the largest land mammals in North America and Europe.

Amazing Facts About Bison

• They are speedy, reaching up to 35 miles (56 km) an hour.
• Bison are known as excellent swimmers despite their impressive bodily mass.
• They can survive in very severe cold temperatures due to their thick fur.
• In 2016, the American bison was declared the National Mammal of the United States.
• The Yellowstone National Park is the only place where there is actually still a wild bison population that has lived in its place since prehistoric times.
• Bison were considered extinct in Europe (around the early 1900s) and reintroduced by using animals from zoos.

Bison vs Buffalo: What’s the Difference?

The kind of accidental confusion that comes with mistaking bison for buffalo is the effects of mistaking them for buffalo. The fact is that they are two separate species: