If America was ever looking for a new national animal, bisons are the leader of the pack.
Bald Eagles may have represented the United States since the birth of the country, but the broader public has never had the chance to express its opinions on the matter. The latest research from YouGov shows that, if another national animal were to be chosen, the bison is the most popular alternative with 22% of Americans saying that it should become the national animal. The cougar (or mountain lion) comes in second place with 16%, followed by bears (12%) and doves (11%).
There is a striking gender divide on the national animal, with doves and cougars as popular among women as bison are. American men opt for the sturdy bison by a significant margin.
The bison wins in each region, but the runners up differ. The turkey, for example, is the third most popular option in the Northeast but drops to fifth place among people in the West.
The results would disappoint Benjamin Franklin who pressed for the turkey to be the national animal of the United States. Said Franklin on the Bald Ealge: For my own part. I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly
Britain does not have a national animal, but in a recent poll conducted by the BBC the British public - surprisingly - chose the hedgehog.
Full results can be found here.
