American Buffalo: Bison bison

The American Buffalo was designated as the state animal in 1955. The American Buffalo, or Bison, is a massive animal that weighs from 800 to 2,000 pounds and stands nearly six feet high at the shoulder. A large head, high hump on the shoulders and dark brown shaggy hair characterize the buffalo

Buffalo once roamed the American prairie by the tens of millions and provided a way of life for the plains Indians. European settlers hunted buffalo to the brink of extinction - it's estimated that between 300 - 500 animals remainedwhen the federal government passed stricter game laws in 1889.