When our bison herd comes off the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands in March they are fat and wooly, and just starting to show signs of shedding their winter coats.
In this close-up photo below, look carefully at the bulls face. Do you see how the fur on his face looks like a mask? If not, look closer at the more faded brown fur above the nose and around the eyes. This, along with his shaggy mop on top will soon shed off as the new growth below comes in.
The mask is even more defined in the photo of the cow with her calf. The density of their coats protect them through harsh prairie winters, where temperatures can get to minus forty degrees. Comparatively, cattle need shelter or assistance at zero degrees.
This two year old buffalo bull is shedding out in dreadlock style... Rumor has it that his favorite musician is the late Bob Marley!
And often, we will find big pieces of fur scattered across the prairie, almost as if they dropped their cape/coat.
In addition to being able to withstand the harsh seasonal temperatures, bison are also very agile, and can completely fold their neck to scratch an itch, lick away fur, or shoo flies away. They can also use their back hoof to scratch their head.
The American Buffalo evolved on these prairie grasslands, to not just survive, but to thrive - winter, spring, summer and fall.
Although bison naturally molt, they will also help the process along by rubbing up against things, or rolling in wallows. Rolling in wallows also aids in keeping insects off, as well as scenting themselves after urinating in the wallow before they roll, a perfume of sorts...
In an effort to use as much of the animal as possible, most of our hides go to Patagonia for the making of Wild Idea work boots.
Although we continue to look for ways to use the bison wool, it does not go to waste, it is used by nature, specifically as a building material for bird nests.
It is also used for goofing around! Pictured below adorable grandsons, Lincoln & Barrett.
Bison are one of the keystone species of the American Great Plains and require room to roam.
Our large landscape grazing model does just that, with over 34,000 acres collectively to roam. When given the space they can travel ten to fifteen miles a day, or more as necessary.
Bison are the largest mammal on North America, with mature bison bulls weighing up to 2,400 pounds and measuring 7 feet high at the hump. Even at this size, they can run up to 35 miles per hour! Mature bison cows are about half the weight of a bull, weighing up to 1,200 and measuring 5 feet high at the shoulder. They too can run as fast as the males.
By late summer, the buffalo have regrown much of their wool, which will continue to get thicker. Sometime in mid winter, their hair follicles start to open, and the process starts all over again in preparation for their lighter summer attire.
As always, we thank you for supporting our mission of regenerating the prairie grasslands while improving our environment and our food supply by bringing back the buffalo.
13 comments
Love the blogs on these great animals! My family enjoys your products and I also love my Patagonia work boots; they are pretty special! Thank you for all you do to help regenerate the Prarie and to keep us informed.
Aloha Jill:
Wonderful photo essay! Many Thanks.
Fun to see that Dan’s “Fluffy Cows” are at time not quite so fluffy.
Mahalo,
Lonnie King
loved the pictures of shedding bison any chance of another calendar?
Do any spinners collect the shed winter down for yarn and weaving?
Jody
Always enjoy your articles!