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Bison Facts

[Buffalo Trivia]  [Buffalo Populations]  [Native American Uses]  [Nutritional Information]

The buffalo was fully used by the Native American populations from the plains. They depended on the buffalo for survival and honored it in sacred ceremonies. The entire buffalo was put to use. For the Native Americans, the buffalo could be described as an "all-purpose supply store." Those parts not used for food were still used - they became clothing, tools, furnishings, ceremonial objects and weapons.

Interesting Buffalo Trivia

Life Span: 30 or more years
Weight: Up to 2000 lbs. (1 ton)
Maturity: 5-7 years
Running Speed: Can run up to 35 mph with more stamina than a horse
Jumping: Can jump over 6 foot fences easily
Hearing: Very keen
Nose: Important for locating food and detecting danger
Sight: Weak
Gestation: 9 months, 1 calf weighing about 40 lbs. (twins are rare)

North American Buffalo Populations

(From Los Alamos Homepage)
1800		5,000,000
1875		1,000,000
1880		395.000
1885		20,000
1895		less than 1,000
1983		50,000

How Native Americans Utilized the Buffalo

Edible Parts - Food and ceremonial use
Fat and Marrow - Food, paint, soap
Bones - Paint brush handles, knives, scrapers, sled runners, arrowheads, sewing awls, counters for games
Brain - Food, tanning agent
Intestine - Cord, pouches
Rawhide - Moccasin soles, shields, containers, ornaments, rattles, snow shoes, mortars, lariats, bridles, boats, luggage, food boiling, medicine bundle, saddles, thongs, stirrups
Hide - Tipis, robes, dresses, breech cloth, shirts, leggings, moccasins, bedding, dolls, regalia, cradleboards, implements, drums, tipi furnishings
Skull - Altars, entire head worn as mask
Horns - Spoons, ladles, cups, implements, headdress ornaments, games, powder flasks
Hair - Rope, stuffing, ornaments, ceremonial use, brushes
Dung - Fuel
Sinew and Muscle - Thread, cord, bow strings
Tail - Fly brush
Stomach - cooking vessel, container for carrying/storing water
Bladder - Drinking vessels
Tongue - Rough side used for hairbrush

Nutritional Information

Source: USDA Handbook 8-5; 8-10; 8-13; 8-17

Per 100 Grams of Cooked Lean Meat
	Calories	Fat	Cholesterol
Bison	149	2.42 g	82 mg
Beef	211	9.3 g	86 mg
Pork	215	10.5 g	92 mg
Chicken*	190	7.41 g	89 mg

*Skinless

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