American Bison - Bison bison

the american bison (buffalo) is the largest land mammal in North America, with an average bull weighing about 1,800 pounds. The Plains Indians depended on bison for existence using hides for garments, moccasins and bedrolls. They ate the nutritious meat fresh, smoked, dried or pounded with berries into pemmican. Tents, saddles, tools and sinew bow strings were also fashioned from bison. Myabe no single animal was ever more important to a race's survival.
As many as 60 million bison once roamed North America in the 1800's. They were sacrificed to near extinctions by the advance and spread of civilization by 1900.
Fun Fact: Bison loosen the earth with their hooves and roll around in the dirt to choke annoying insects. These buffalo wallows are used year after year.