A LITTLE WILDLIFE PERSPECTIVE
How tall is an American bison?
Compare your height to an American bison.
An adult male bison stands roughly 1.67–1.86 m at the shoulder; a female stands around 1.52–1.57 m.
A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE
American bison
next to the average.
Average U.S. adults, side by side.
- Average man (U.S.)5 ft 8.9 in
- American bison6 ft 2.8 in
- Average woman (U.S.)5 ft 3.5 in
How do you measure up?
Enter your height to stand beside an American bison.
Side by side
- American bison6 ft 2.8 in
- Your placeAdd your height
The animal is an example adult in the pose shown. Its full outline is scaled to 190 cm. Shoulder height and body length are explained below.
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GET TO KNOW THE ANIMAL
Small facts. Big discoveries.
American bison · Bison bison
An American bison has a massive front end, a shoulder hump, and shorter hair toward the rear. Its shaggy head can make the body look even more imposing.
Bison graze through the year, relying mainly on grasses but using other vegetation when grass is scarce. Their grazing and dust baths help shape prairie plant communities, so the effect of a bison herd extends well beyond the space occupied by those broad shoulders.
- Both male and female bison have horns.
- The thicker coat over the front of the body helps create its distinctive silhouette.
How big do adults get?
- Male
- 1.67–1.86 m at the shoulder
- Female
- 1.52–1.57 m at the shoulder
These are adult reference ranges. The high shoulder hump is an important part of the bison’s height and shape.
Height, length, or weight?
Standing height runs from the ground to the top of the animal. Shoulder height stops at the top of the shoulders. Length runs along the body; it is not how tall an animal stands. Weight tells us how heavy it is.
Explore the science: Animal Diversity Web · University of Michigan ↗