This sighting shows the incredible power wielded by the largest land mammals on the North American continent, as two bison battle for supremacy.
Judy Lehmberg caught this intense showdown on camera in Yellowstone National Park and sent it to Latest Sightings. It’s a case of an unstoppable force coming into contact with an immovable object in an open plain.
The U.S. Department of the Interior lists bison as standing up to six feet tall and weighing up to two thousand pounds. The immense size of these animals should show the amount of power they can put into a charge.
An Unstoppable Force
It’s not clear what caused this conflict to erupt between the two bulls. The footage showed the herd grazing serenely while an enormous bison moved behind them, only for it to spot another and lower its head.
It’s possible that these two just didn’t like each other, but there are a variety of reasons these animals might find it necessary to battle each other in this way.
As with many Yellowstone species, bison have periods of heightened aggression and dominance displays during their mating season, called the rut, during which they attempt to secure mating rights and access to females.
It’s equally possible that one of these bison is challenging the social standing of the other, but regardless of the cause, neither bison is willing to back down.
An Immovable Object
Once the battle has begun, there’s nothing that’s going to stop enormous animals like these. Although the opening headbutts took place behind the cover of the herd, the show motion captured the force of it as the shockwave of impact passed through both animals.
In this first clash, the bison on the right appeared to have an advantage, both in size and weight, and it was able to force the other bison back. The smaller bison didn’t back down, though, and prepared to charge again.
The rest of the herd didn’t take any notice of this battle, but for the two bison involved, it was an intense test of strength and resilience, and the force of the impacts must have been absolutely staggering.
Clash Of The Titans
Once the signal was given, the two enormous bulls charged at each other again, vying for dominance through forcing their opponent back into submission.
The rippling muscles beneath their skin show just how much force these animals are able to exert over one another, and yet this time, there was no clear competitor that looked to be stronger than the other.
Neither bull was pushed back as their strength seemed to be evenly matched, but neither wanted this contest to end in a draw, so they continued doing their best until it became absolutely clear there was going to be no winner.
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All For Show
Given the fact that the rest of the herd seemed entirely unperturbed by this battle taking place in their midst, it was difficult to tell what started this fight.
Like almost all other animals, these bison might battle for mating opportunities during their breeding season or for greater dominance in the societal structure of the herd.
These kinds of fights aren’t uncommon, but due to the strength of the bison, they rarely result in any injuries or deaths.