How bison fur pushes rain and snow away — for a 6-year-old

Bison wear a super warm coat made of two parts: long outer hairs and soft underfur.

• Outer hairs: These long, stiff hairs act like an umbrella. Rain and snow land on them and slide off.
• Underfur: This is thick and fluffy close to the skin. It traps warm air so the bison stays cozy even when it is very cold.

When rain or snow falls, the drops hit the long outer hairs and roll down to the ground. The water usually does not reach the bison's skin because the outer hairs and the underfur keep the inside dry and warm.

Think of it like wearing a raincoat with a fuzzy sweater underneath: the coat keeps you dry, and the sweater keeps you warm.

Try a little safe experiment with an adult:

1. Put a small plastic bag (like a tiny raincoat) over one hand and a soft towel or fuzzy cloth on the other hand.
2. Ask an adult to drip a few drops of water from a spoon onto each one.
3. You will see the plastic keeps the water outside while the towel soaks it up. Bison fur works like both: the outer hairs keep water away and the underfur keeps the animal warm.

That is why thick bison fur pushes rain and snow away and keeps the bison warm and dry.