Ecological and Cultural Significance of Bison

What is a notable physical ability of a fully grown American buffalo?

• They can jump 15 feet high.

• They can run up to 35 miles per hour.

• They typically weigh less than 1000 pounds.

• They are usually shorter than 5 feet at the shoulder.

What happened to many large animal species in North America after humans arrived over 20,000 years ago?

• They migrated to other continents.

• They evolved into modern buffalo.

• They went extinct due to hunting, climate change, or both.

• They became domesticated by humans.

How long have bison and humans co-existed in North America?

• A few hundred years.

• Approximately 1,000 years.

• Over 10,000 years.

• Only since the arrival of European explorers.

What is an ecological function of "buffalo wallows" created by bison?

• They provide shelter from predators.

• They help with water retention and create shallow ponds.

• They are used for communication between herds.

• They serve as nesting sites for birds.

How were buffalo viewed by many Native American tribes?

• As a common animal for hunting.

• As a sacred and essential part of their lives.

• As a nuisance that competed for resources.

• As a source of trade goods only.

In the ancient origin stories of many tribes, what was believed about the buffalo?

• They were brought to the land by humans.

• They were among the earliest animals created, emerging from underground.

• They were created after humans to serve them.

• They migrated from distant lands.

What was the outcome of the contest between people and bison in the stories of the Cheyenne and Lakota tribes?

• The bison won and became the dominant species.

• The people won and gained mastery over the bison.

• The contest ended in a tie, with neither side winning.

• The animals decided to leave the land.

According to the story told by the old buffalo bulls, what did the animals offer to humans after the people won?

• Only their meat for food.

• Their meat, skins, and bones, and they would teach the Sun Dance.

• Their wisdom and guidance.

• Nothing, as they were defeated.