The American
Bison, or plains buffalo, is a grazing animal that stands approximately
6-1/2 feet at the shoulder and weighs more than 1,980 lbs. (a mature bull).
The coat is dark brown although on rare occasions a white bison is born, and
the American Indians especially honored these unusual animals. The bison
live in herds and move frequently to find food.
Great herds of bison lived on the prairies of Colorado. For centuries,
various Indian tribes relied on the bison for food, clothing and shelter.
The introduction of Spanish horses to the plains area began in 1600 and by 1675
they were widespread. The horse revolutionized the way the Plains Indians
lived and hunted.
When European settlers arrived in this country, an estimated 60,000,000 bison
roamed the plains. By the late 1800's the railroad had expanded westward
into Colorado and with that came a demand for food for the railroad workers
and furs for merchants in the east. Thousands of bison were killed and
almost hunted to extinction by 1900.
Sources:
Refer to BIBLIOGRAPHY
Painted by:
Kathy Barnes
Written by: D. Francese