bison, (genus Bison), also called buffalo or wisent, either of two species of oxlike grazing mammals that constitute the genus Bison of the family Bovidae. The American bison (B. bison), commonly known as the buffalo or the plains buffalo, is native to North America, and the European bison (B. bonasus), or wisent, is native to Europe. Both species were drastically reduced in numbers by hunting and now occupy small protected areas that are tiny fractions of their former ranges. The American bison differs from domestic cattle or oxen in several respects. It is larger and has a broad heavy head ...(100 of 1091 words)

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