Bison are ideally adapted to Canada's northern climate. Their extra coat on their shoulders and the additional development of the front half of their bodies enable them to face the wind and storms of winter. They are also able to push their way through the snow cover of the prairies with their big head and muscles to find the grass underneath to graze. They also need less food during the winter months because their metabolism slows down. You won't find a bison migrating south for the winter!
Bison meat is not to be confused with buffalo meat. Although the American bison is often referred to as buffalo, the real buffalo is not native to America. The cape buffalo and water buffalo are native to Africa and Asia, while the bison is found in North America and Europe. Water buffaloes are domesticated, like cattle; their meat often comes from Italy, India or the USA. Bison meat, on the other hand, is considered game meat because bison is raised in their natural habitat and not domesticated.