President Obama should crown this beast as America's national mammal

Step aside, bald eagle.

The US House of Representatives and the Senate just passed a bill that would honor the country's largest land mammal, the American bison, as our national mammal (joining the bird of prey as an official national symbol). The bipartisan legislation now awaits consideration by President Obama.

The National Bison Legacy Act is long overdue.

More than 100 years ago, the bison - one of the most majestic, if smelly, creatures on Earth - rebounded from near-extinction. Today, they happily roam all across the country.

Here are some facts about what should become America's most prized animal.