The buffalo, also known as the bison, was a vital beast from the Great Plains.  This mighty creature was used for many things by the Sioux and many other tribes.  They used the hide for clothing, bones for weapons and especially meat for food.  With so many of these massive monsters all over the land, Sitting Bull grew up all his life with many buffalo for food.  He grew up hunting and cleaning buffalo until he was too old to do it anymore.  But the buffalo, specifically, is the largest terrestrial animal in North America.  It originated in Eurasia but crossed the Berringea land bridge in ancient times.  Currently, it is closing in on extinction but with the help of animal rights activist, the population is way, way up!

>"Buffalo"
>Encarta '95