The buffalo, also known as the bison, played a very important role on the North American plains for a very long time. True buffalo only live in Asia and Africa.
The Plains Indians used every part of the buffalo to help them survive. Hides were used for clothing, blankets and shelters. The meat was used for food, and the bones were used for tools and toys. The buffalo's horns were used for cups and spoons. The animal's tendons were used for thread and bowstrings. The Plains Indians even used buffalo chips for fuel.
A buffalo can be 6 to 7 feet long, stand from 5 to 6 feet tall, and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Their size makes them the largest animal living in North America. The buffalo's tail can be almost three feet long, and they use it to swap at pesky bugs. They also have thick brown fur that keeps them warm on the frigid and frozen plains during the winter months. The buffalo also has a large hump on its back.
Buffalo are considered to be an adult when they reach 3 years old. Adults mate from July to October and it takes nine months for the calf to be born. When the calves are born they are a light tan color. They follow and are dependent on their mother for a least one year. A buffalo can live to be 30 years old.
Buffalo live mostly on the plains, but some are known to inhabit river valleys as well as forests. The are herbivores and feed on about 60 pounds of plant material and grasses a day.
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