Bison are one of the largest land animals on the North American continent, and according to the National Park Service, the herds in Yellowstone can be traced back to prehistoric periods.
That’s a pretty impressive lineage for these animals, which have struggled through ages of hardships just so that they could force the traffic to wait for them as they crossed the road. Their ancestors would be very proud.
Male American bison can stand up to six feet tall, and weigh close to two thousand pounds according to the U.S. Department of the Interior, meaning the traffic had no option but to stop and wait for the herd to clear the road.
There was no way around the herd as it had spread itself out, and there was certainly no way through when these animals are themselves the size of cars. Herds can migrate for a variety of reasons, but typically it’s to ensure access to food and comfortable temperatures.
Returned From The Brink
Despite the fact that these herds have such a rich history, the animals themselves have had to overcome many difficulties that led to them almost being extinct in the area.
Poaching drove their numbers down to less than fifty animals in 1902, according to the National Park Service, but after the US Army stepped in to defend them the bison have flourished with an estimated population of more than five thousand in 2024.
Perhaps it’s because they’ve overcome hardships such as these that the bison seem so utterly unconcerned with the road they’re crossing, and the cars that they’re getting in the way of. The concerns of humanity are completely inconsequential to them.
Utterly Unconcerned
These bison were in no hurry to cross the road quickly, and they didn’t care at all about the cars that had to wait for them to cross. Surely no one would consider it an inconvenience to see animals like this up close and personal.
The sheer size of them is astounding, and they almost matched the size of the larger vans and trucks they were forcing to wait for them. They are also deceptively athletic, being able to reach thirty miles per hour when the need arises.
This capacity for speed makes their slow road crossing all the more amusing, and some of the vehicles had even pulled over to the side of the road to enjoy the sight as they ponderously moved to graze on the other side.
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The Biggest Boys In Yellowstone
As one of the biggest land animals in North America, these animals have earned the right to take their time in crossing the road at a leisurely pace to graze in the grasslands where they can be most easily found in summer.
Together with other large animals like bears, elk, and moose, the bison makes up one of the big five of Yellowstone, but despite the size of these other animals, the bison reigns supreme as the largest in the park.
Because of this size, bison can be dangerous, especially during their mating season when males are more aggressive. As with all wildlife, visitors hoping to spot bison should give them space and remain inside their vehicles.