A herd of bison move like a wave over the prairie outside Pierre, South Dakota.
A herd of bison move like a wave over the prairie outside Pierre, South Dakota.
Photograph by Jim Brandenburg, Nat Geo Image Collection

American symbol: National Geographic’s best bison pictures

To celebrate bison, we choose our most stunning pictures of the large mammal, treasured in Native American and U.S. history.

Just a few hundred years ago, between 30 and 60 million American bison (Bison bison) roamed the Great Plains. Their herds were said to be so great that it took six days for a rider to pass through.

Many people use the words “bison” and “buffalo” interchangeably, but this isn’t technically correct. While both animals belong to the Bovidae family, “buffalo” refers to animals such as the African Cape buffalo and Asian water buffalo. When European settlers first saw American bison, they named it “bufello,” and the misnomer stuck.

It only took a few decades of intense hunting and fur trading to lay the herds low. Bison hunting became so popular in the 19th century that some

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Read This Next

Is banning fishing bad for fishermen? Not in this marine reserve
SeaWorld allegedly violated the Animal Welfare Act. Why is it still open?
'World’s worst shipwreck' was bloodier than we thought

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet