DID YOU KNOW?
Bison Fur
The thick, coarse texture of bison fur, especially the shed winter coat, provides excellent insulation for birds' nests, helping to keep eggs and chicks warm in winter.
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The smell and appearance of bison fur also provides camouflage and protection against predators.
Bison Horns
​​Horns aid bison in their role as ecosystem
engineers, shaping and maintaining grassland habitats.
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When bison rub their horns against trees they remove bark and damage the vegetation. This creates areas where new, diverse plant life can grow once the dead trees fall and expose the ground to sunlight. ​
Bison Dung
Bison dung assists the environment by promoting carbon sequestration. Healthier,
more diverse grasslands have deeper root systems that are more effective at transferring and storing carbon in the soil, helping combat climate change.
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It also acts as a natural fertilizer, spreads seeds, and supports entire micro-ecosystems that contribute to grassland health and biodiversity.
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Bison Hooves
Hooves are crucial for ecosystem health in grasslands. They act as natural aerators, breaking up compacted soil and creating space for plant roots to grow and or seeds to germinate.
This disturbance also helps with water retention and nutrient cycling. Furthermore, bison hooves aid in seed dispersal as they trample seeds into the soil and their dung acts as a fertilizer.
Source: Various
Bison Mucous
Bison mucous contains essential nutrients
and microbes which are secreted onto grasses during grazing. This acts as a natural fertilizer, providing immediate nutrients for plants, promoting growth of beneficial microbes, thereby enhancing soil health.
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Mucous is also important for seed dispersal,
protection against pathogens, and has
antimicrobial properties.​