I’ve got so much to share about our recent vacation hiking in Yellowstone National Park, but thought the Yellowstone bison would be a good topic for the Friday Five link up hosted by Rachel at Running on Happy and Lacey and Miranda at Fairytales and Fitness.
Several thousand bison roam free in Yellowstone —we saw quite a few of them!
One of the first things we learned about bison is that “bison” (actually, Bison bison) is the scientific name for what we also call buffalo. “Oh give me a home where the Bison bison roam” doesn’t have quite the same meter ….
Yellowstone Bison Bonanza
On the first morning of our Trails Through Yellowstone program, our Yellowstone Forever guide told us about the wildlife we might see out the windows of our bus as she drove to our first trail head. We all wanted to see bison, and we were not disappointed.
We hadn’t gotten too far when we saw a small herd close to the road. She explained their mating habits, and we got to see a bull checking out a cow to see if she was “ready” to mate.
The bulls urinate in the wallows they’ve made before, then roll around in it to maximize their scent–its Axe for bison! Then they approach a female from the rear and use special hormone-detecting glands in their mouths to determine if the cow is in heat. For better or worse, we only saw discouraged bulls turn away and move along to look for another mate. 😉
This bison was wallowing in his wallow with no cows around to impress!
Several times on our hikes we had to wait for bison to move along, or take a detour to pass safely. Bison can run as fast as 35 mph and reach that speed in only two body lengths. The National Park Service wants people to keep a distance of at least 25 yards.
This guy was a bit too close to trail, so we detoured through the wet grass.
Bison have the right of way throughout the park, and seem to know it. This group caused quite a traffice jam as they crossed back-and-forth across the road. We watched a mamma cross, and then one young one, and then another, and then they changed their minds and crossed back. It was quite the sight to see!
We learned a lot about the food chain in Yellowstone, and while bison are pretty high up, they are not invincible.
We saw evidence of the circle of life on our hikes, including an intact bison leg (above) and partial bison skeleton (below). Our guide took the opportunity to teach us more about biosn anatomy, and showed us the fins that support the massive muscles on their upper backs.
The bones were scattered when we found them,
maybe by other hikers—maybe not.
Have you seen bison up close before?
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Interesting! I wonder what animal has the grossest mating habits? Rolling around in your own urine sounds like it’s high on the list haha! I had to google what hunts bison because I would just assume they’re too big even though they can’t run as fast as a mountain lion but I saw that mtn lions will go after the young or old. Thanks for giving us a bison lesson today!
Thanks for reading. Have you ever caught a whiff of a teenage boy doused in Axe? 😉
I have never seen Bison up close. There was a herd that got loose not too far away from here a while back.
I’d hope I’d give them a wide berth — I know people have been killed by them while visiting national parks! Usually because they get too close.
We had a hike a while back where we saw the foot of some critter (rabbit, maybe) on the trail. Ewww!
There have been a few bison “incidients” recently but no deaths that I heard of. They are quite a few in the Death In Yellowstone book though.
Sounds like an interesting tour. While I am reading this I am watching Good Morning America and there is a guy taunting a bison at Yellowstone…..he is awful brave or just stupid…..ha
I just saw that! Definitely stupid.
Wow! Who knew bison were so fast? A few years ago we stayed at the Nemacolin Woodlands resort in PA. They have bison roaming the property. They were just over the fence from our place.
Oh, wow. How was that resort? It’s heavily advertised in the DC market ….
Beautiful! And coincidentally, I am watching Good Morning America and they are literally showing some numbskull taunting (and being charged by) a bison in Yellowstone! What is with people???
I think he’s also going to be charged by the National Park Service. 🙂 We also learned that Yellowstone has it’s own federal judge …..
That sounds like a cool tour (I definitely did not know they rolled in their own urine to attract mates but I’m uh, really glad humans don’t do that…)! I’ve never been to Yellowstone but hope to visit someday!
Loved seeing your Yellowstone pics! We took our kids there when they were young. ONe of the highlights was definitely the bison and other wildlife. I think the kids were impressed with the wildlife more than the geological features. Definitely one of my all time favorite trips!
I swear every guide & ranger has a different explanation of bison v. buffalo, which makes me think none actually know
I was penned in by a herd when I was in Custer traveling from Crazy Horse to Mt. Rushmore. Stunning . Also crazy burros
https://www.flickr.com/photos/travellingcari/albums/72157686414645903 if of interest. And if you’ve not been, put it on your list
Great! What do you learn about “buffalo:?
The ranger tried to explain the anatomical differences between the two, but that may have been ocation vs. species
Ive never seen them up close! Very interesting. And how disappointing to be all freshly scented with no girls to impress!
LOL. Maybe they’ll remember how impressive he was when they’re ready.
Yup, I have. I got my picture taken with Ralphie (at a small distance) last year. Her handlers are quite protective of her.
We went to Yellowstone couple of years ago and we went at a bad time. It was rainy and cold and there was construction so there were hardly any animals around. We are thinking about going next week though and hopefully we will see more!
Oh, what a bummer! We had perfect weather — sunny, blue skies, from 60s to 70s in the daytime …. I hope you go and have great weather.
Years ago when I was in Jackson Hole. I saw a bison up close. I got out of the car and took a pic. My hubby yelled at me at the time telling how dangerous that was. Who knew?
Maybe we expect them to be docile like cows — but they’re not — especially in mating season, which is now.
I was lucky I didn’t get attacked.
What a fun adventure! I heard on the news this morning about a guy who tried to torment a bison that was crossing the road. How crazy is he?!?!?
Did you see the video? that guy was a jerk. Maybe trying to get social media attention, which of course he’s gotten. I hope he has to pay a big fine at least — harassing the wildlife is illegal.
We saw some bison out in Aspen a few years back. I love to see animals in their natural environment like that
Sounds lovely! It really is amazing to see them.
I’ve never seen them up close. Sounds like an amazing tour!
It would be a great family vacation for you all!
Very interesting! We were driving through a national park in South Dakota one time, and had a Bison come up to our window when we were at a stop sign. Freaky!!!!
Wow! That would freak me out for sure!
The only bison I’ve seen up close are the kids at my son’s high school–their mascot was a Bison. Seriously tho, I saw that video of the man taunting the bison at Yellowstone. What was he thinking?
Wow! This is so interesting, I don’t believe I have ever seen bison in person. What a great trip!!
Oh wow! That’s so interesting! I have seen bison up close but never knew about their mating ritual!
Funny comparing to teenage boys doused in Axe! Lol