The American Bison Was American Named Our National Bison Mammal

release dates: July 25-31, 2020 30 (20)

Next Week: Signing the Constitution

Issue 30, 2020 Founded by Betty Debnam

Mini Fact: The In 2016, the American bison was American named our national Bison mammal. photos courtesy NPS Viewing bison Have you ever seen real bison? Perhaps you The biggest wild free-roaming herd of call them buffalo. Most people do. Early settlers bison in the world is at Yellowstone called bison “buffalo,” and the name stuck. National Park. There are almost 5,000 But North America’s largest land animal is bison in the Yellowstone herd. About 100 not a member of the Asian or African buffalo years ago, in the early 1900s, the park had family. The American bison is a close relative only about 23 of them. of cattle. People love to view these majestic There are herds at some national parks and animals. But they can also be very dangerous. refuges. Many Indian reservations and ranches Like all wild animals, bison are also have herds. Let’s learn more about these This painting, “Indians Hunting the unpredictable. Although they appear gentle, iconic American animals. Bison,” was created by Karl Bodmer bison can get upset fast if people get too Herds of bison in 1839. close. If the animal is moving away from Experts say there were about 60 million you, watching you carefully or reacting in bison in America when the Europeans first Native Americans and bison any way to your presence, you arrived. By the 1880s, the settlers had killed all Native Americans thought the bison to be are too close. but about 500. Bison were nearly extinct. sacred animals. They hunted the large animals Bison can run up to Today, bison live in all 50 states, on both for food, clothing, shelter and fuel. The Plains 30 mph. A 2,000-pound private and public lands. With a population Indians needed the bison to survive. charging bison is very of around 350,000, they are no longer For example, people built tepees and used dangerous. Keep at least 25 endangered. bison skins to cover the poles. They ate the yards away. Meet the bison animals’ meat and used the fat for fuel. There are two subspecies of bison: the Bison meat plains bison and the wood bison. The wood Today, bison meat is becoming more Resources bison is generally larger. popular. You may see bison burgers or steaks Male bison, or bulls, weigh up to a ton on menus or in the grocery store. (2,000 pounds) and may be 6 feet tall. Bison Ranchers say they like raising bison On the Web: cows weigh around 1,100 pounds and are 4 to because they require less care than cattle. • bit.ly/MPbison 5 feet tall. Bison calves are more likely to survive than At the library: Baby bison are sometimes called “red beef calves because they are born later in the • “Bison” by Kaitlyn Duling dogs” because their fur is reddish in color year, after blizzards are no longer a threat. In • “American Bison” by Steve Potts when they’re born. When they’re a few months addition, bison can eat tougher grasses than • “The Buffalo and the Indians: A Shared old, their fur starts to turn dark brown and cattle and can forage for grass under snow. Destiny” by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent the characteristic hump begins to grow. The Mini Page® © 2020 Andrews McMeel Syndication

Try ’n’ Find Mini Jokes Words that remind us of bison are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some Bryan: What did the letters are used twice. See if you can find: mama buffalo say when her youngest child went off AMERICAN, BISON, S F R A N C H W S N P E M S H to college? BUFFALO, BULL, COW, P M U H E U T A E M V C E A W Brendan: “Bison!” FUR, HERDS, HUMP, N H T R O N X U P I Q S S C H MAMMAL, MEAT, A Y E L L O W S T O N E U R E NATIONAL, NATIVE, T T N M A M M A L I G G M E R Eco Note NORTH, PARKS, PLAINS, I D O O W P N V A U O Z J D D RANCH, REFUGES, O L A F F U B L F S K R A P S Wilderness areas are RESERVATION, SACRED, N N O S I B P E T L M R C O W terrific for hiking, wildlife WOOD, YELLOWSTONE. A R B U L L R A M E R I C A N observation, paddling, cross-country L R E S E R V A T I O N A Z R skiing, horseback riding and camping. But remember to Leave No Trace when you visit: Take photos but leave behind plants and rocks. Use a camp stove Cook’s Corner or existing fire ring for campfires, and Cottage Cheese Spread make sure your fire is cold before you leave. Hike on marked trails, and carry You’ll need: • 1/4 cup chopped out any trash to dispose of in garbage

• 1 cup low-fat (or fat-free) cottage cheese celery receptacles. adapted from fws.gov • 1/4 cup shredded carrot • 1 teaspoon red wine • 1/4 cup chopped cucumber vinegar • 1/4 cup chopped green pepper • 1/2 teaspoon garlic herb spice For later: Look in your newspaper for travel stories about places to see wildlife. What to do: 1. Combine all ingredients in a medium plastic container. 2020 Andrews McMeel Syndication © 2. Chill for 1 hour to blend flavors. Teachers: Follow and 3. Spread on crackers or sliced cucumbers. Serves 4. interact with The Mini

The Mini Page® Page on Facebook! * You’ll need an adult’s help with this recipe. need an adult’s * You’ll . 7 Little Words for Kids Amazon devices Amazon Use the letters in the boxes to make a word with the same meaning as the clue. The numbers in parentheses represent the number of letters in the solution. Each letter combination can be used only once, but all letter combinations will be necessary to complete the puzzle. 1. like a carton with no milk (5) ETER TION TY MO 2. color of grass (5) Download the app on Apple and 3. insect attracted to light (4) GRE THER SHR TORS . 4. temperature gauge (11) 5. movie ogre (5) TH RAP EMP EK 6. Toronto basketball team (7)

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