The bad behaviour of tourists invading the person space of bison isn’t restricted to the confines of Yellowstone National Park.
Here we have a man needlessly getting perilously to close to one at Utah’s Antelope Island State Park. There’s a saying about safely snapping pics of bison in the wild…“give them room, use your zoom.”
This guy apparently hadn’t heard that bit of wisdom and decided to get within feet of the animal to capture the perfect picture. Not that its ever okay to get this close, but this dude would have been truly in bad spot if to the bison decided to take issue with his advance. Open field with nowhere to seek cover and bison can run 35+ mph…bad situation waiting to happen.
Remember folks, “give them room, use your zoom”:
- Bison, also known as American buffalo, are large herbivorous mammals that are native to North America. They are closely related to cattle.
- Bison are the largest land mammals in North America. Adult males, called bulls, can weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) and stand over six feet tall at the shoulder.
- These majestic creatures have a distinctive hump on their shoulders and a massive head with a thick beard and short, curved horns.
- Bison have a shaggy, dark brown to reddish-brown coat that keeps them warm in cold weather. They also have a lighter-colored beard and a thick mane of hair on their forequarters.
- Historically, bison roamed across vast areas of North America in huge herds, but their numbers were drastically reduced due to overhunting and habitat loss. Today, they are primarily found in protected areas and national parks.
- Bison are highly adapted to survive in harsh environments. They can endure extreme temperatures, from hot summers to cold winters, and can dig through deep snow to find vegetation.
- Bison are herbivores, feeding on grasses, sedges, and other vegetation. They are well-suited for grazing, with a large, muscular tongue and a set of sharp incisor teeth for tearing grass.
- These animals are known for their agility and speed despite their large size. They can run at speeds up to 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour) and are capable of jumping barriers up to six feet high.
- Bison are social animals that typically live in herds. The herds consist of females, called cows, and their offspring, while males often form smaller bachelor groups.
- Bison play a significant role in shaping their ecosystem. Their grazing behavior helps maintain grasslands and promotes plant diversity, benefiting other species such as birds and insects.
Overall, bison are fascinating creatures that hold great cultural and ecological importance in North America. Efforts to protect and conserve these iconic animals have been successful, but continued conservation efforts are necessary to ensure their long-term survival.