Editing Bison (section)

==Behavior==
[[File:Muybridge Buffalo galloping.gif|thumb|left|A group of images by [[Eadweard Muybridge]], set to motion to illustrate the movement of the bison]]
[[Image:Buffalo charges Elk near old faithful - panoramio.jpg|thumb|A bison charges an [[elk]] in Yellowstone National Park.]]
[[Wallowing in animals|Wallowing]] is a common behavior of bison. A ''bison wallow'' is a shallow depression in the soil, either wet or dry. Bison roll in these depressions, covering themselves with mud or dust. Possible explanations suggested for wallowing behavior include grooming behavior associated with moulting, male-male interaction (typically [[Rut (mammalian reproduction)|rutting]] behavior), social behavior for group cohesion, play behavior, relief from skin irritation due to biting insects, reduction of [[Parasitism|ectoparasite]] load ([[tick]]s and [[Louse|lice]]), and thermoregulation.<ref name="JSTOR">{{cite journal |last1=McMillan |first1=B. R. |last2=Cottam |first2=M. R. |last3=Kaufman |first3=D. W. |title=Wallowing Behavior of American Bison (''Bos bison'')|journal=American Midland Naturalist| volume=144| issue=1| pages=159–167| jstor=3083019| doi=10.1674/0003-0031(2000)144[0159:wboabb]2.0.co;2|year=2000|s2cid=86223655 }}</ref> In the process of wallowing, bison may become infected by the fatal disease [[anthrax]], which may occur naturally in the soil.<ref name="Anthrax kills bison in southern N.W.T.">{{cite news| title = Anthrax kills bison in southern N.W.T.| publisher = CBC.CA| date = 8 July 2006| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/anthrax-kills-bison-in-southern-n-w-t-1.574773| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090106084314/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2006/07/06/anthrax-nwt-bison.html| archive-date = 6 January 2009}}</ref>

Bison temperament is often unpredictable. They usually appear peaceful, unconcerned, or even lazy, but they may attack without warning or apparent reason. They can move at speeds up to {{convert|35|mph|km/h|order=flip|abbr=on}} and cover long distances at a lumbering gallop.<ref name="NPS">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100303175945/http://www.nps.gov/archive/wica/bison.htm American Bison]. nps.gov</ref>

Their most obvious weapons are the horns borne by both males and females, but their massive heads can be used as battering rams, effectively using the momentum produced by what is a typical weight of {{convert|2000|to|2700|lb|kg|order=flip|-2}} moving at {{convert|30|mph|km/h|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}. The hind legs can also be used to kill or maim with devastating effect. In the words of early naturalists, they were dangerous, savage animals that feared no other animal and in prime condition could best any foe except for a brown bear or a pack of wolves.<ref name="NPS"/><ref name="headsmashedin"/><ref name=Carbyn/>

The rutting, or mating, season lasts from June through September, with peak activity in July and August. At this time, the older bulls rejoin the herd, and fights often take place between bulls. The herd exhibits much restlessness during breeding season. The animals are belligerent, unpredictable, and most dangerous.<ref name="NPS"/>