The largest mammal in North America is also one of its longest-standing residents. Its ancestors arrived on the continent hundreds of thousands of years ago, and their descendants have lived there ever since – that is, until humans nearly caused them to disappear entirely. The iconic animals we were so close to driving extinct? Bison. The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.

Yep, the very same bison that are today the national mammal of the USA. These impressive creatures can weigh between 500 and 900 kilograms (1,102-1,984 pounds), and yet despite their heft, can also reach speeds of 55 kilometers (34 miles) per hour, and jump over 1.5-meter (4.9-foot) tall objects. They might look friend-shaped to the untrained eye, but they

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