American Bison

Bison bison

Meet Cheyenne & Dakota

We have two American bison, Cheyenne and Dakota. They help us tell the story of species that were once native here but no longer live in the wilds of Virginia. Bison were once a thriving species in Virginia and other eastern states from New York to Florida. Other species at Maymont with similar stories are elk and porcupine.

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Keeper's Notes

The way to tell them apart is that Cheyenne has one horn that is shorter than the other one. Dakota’s horns are the same length.

They enjoy people watching, sun bathing and occasionally get the zoomies and run around their habitat.

Our keepers feed them hay and grain. They also love different types of browse including hickory, poplar and sycamore tree leaves, and they eat the whole sticks too!

They love to remind our staff it’s feeding time with loud chuffs!

Species Info

DIET

Grasses, plant material

SIZE

800 to 2,000 lbs, 4-6 ft tall

LIFESPAN

Up to 20 years in the wild; and up to 33 years in a care setting

HABITAT & RANGE

Herds are scattered throughout the Northwestern U.S. and the Northwest Territory of Canada

CONSERVATION STATUS

There are an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 bison in North America today with roughly 30,000 living in the wild and the rest in commercial herds. While there are no wild herds in Virginia, there are approximately 1300+ bison in managed herds in the state.

Quick Facts

American bison are sometimes called “buffalo,” but bison and buffalo are different species. American bison have long, shaggy beards and a distinctive hump at their shoulder. They are the largest native mammal on the North American continent.

Virginia had “wood bison,” a possible subspecies that was adapted to the Eastern deciduous woodlands. They grazed in small bands.

Wild bison populations in Virginia were last seen in the late 1700s due to overhunting.

Resources:

Bison/Buffalo in Virginia | Bison Population by State 2025

Explore

Virginia Wildlife Trail

The Robins Nature Center

Maymont Farm

Adopt These Animals!

Through a symbolic adoption, you help us care for our bison and all the animals in Maymont’s care.