Prairie Bison - Bison bison bison Paul Bowen Prairie Bison Bison bison bison Physical Characteristics Bison are the largest land animal in North America. The fur of the head, neck and shoulders is long, shaggy and brownish-black. There is usually a beard on the chin. The rest of the body is covered in shorter hairs of a lighter color. All have a high hump on the shoulders and sharp horns.
Females have smaller humps, thinner necks and smaller horns.
They shed most of winter coat in summer.