The American bison was adopted as the Oklahoma state animal in 1972. The resolution states, “the magnificent animal was native to both the grasslands and woodlands of what is now Oklahoma and was significant in the cultures and ceremonies of many of the Indian tribes who lived in Oklahoma and have passed along their heritage to modern-day Oklahomans”. Bison are large mammals with a brown coat, a hump on their shoulders, and shaggy hair around their heads. Bison can reach up to 2,000 pounds and stand almost six feet tall.