Wildlife Spot Light: Bison
Each year, thousands of visitors are enthralled with Yellowstone's vast wildlife population. One of the most readily visible members of the wildlife population that call Yellowstone home are Bison. You may encounter them in a bison jam, slowing traffic in the park.
Bison in
Yellowstone National Park
At first glance, bison seem large and slow. They are large, in fact they are the largest land mammal in North America. Male bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds! However, what most people don't know is that bison are actually quite agile, and can run at speeds over 30 miles per hour.
The bison's most prominent feature, other than their overall large size, is the big hump on their back, just behind their head. This large hump is a large group of muscles that actually allows the bison to use its head as a snowplow during the hard winter months.
Before the mid-1800's it's estimated that between 30 and 60 million bison roamed the land that is now the United States, currently, there are only an estimated 30,000 bison roaming.
However, that 30,000 is a great triumph of American conservation, after hunting and poaching in the early 20th century North America was down to only 2 dozen bison. Conservation became a priority and now, bison are no longer an endangered species.
For more information and wildlife sightings you'll want to make a reservation on our Wildlife Safari. Reserve soon, they are almost sold out!
Yellowstone Wildlife Safaris
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