Young Bison Has The Time Of Its Life Playing In The Snow At Yellowstone National Park

If you’ve ever been to Yellowstone National Park, you know that it can be the kind of experience that stays with you forever.

For many of us, myself included, it’s the first time you see a thermal spring, or a monstrous geyser. Maybe it’s your first encounter with American wildlife… wolves, bears, elk, moose. But for many, it’s that unforgettable sight of a bison herd, grazing in the Lamar Valley. These creatures are more than just animals—they are icons, a symbol of the untamed spirit of the American West.

Yellowstone is home to the largest concentration of wild, free-roaming bison in the United States. They are descendants of the few bison that survived near-extinction in the late 1800s, their ancestors protected within this park’s boundaries. Today, the Yellowstone herd numbers over 5,000, a testament to conservation success and resilience. Towering at six feet tall and weighing up to 2,000 pounds, these bison are absolutely massive creatures… the largest land animals in North America. And they’re surprising agile for such big beasts.

Yellowstone’s bison are most often found in two key areas: Lamar Valley in the northeast and Hayden Valley in the central part of the park. Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to catch them. In winter, they are especially striking.

Bison are generally peaceful animals and will not bother humans unless provoked. Although, like many other animals including humans, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened. When a bison is angry, it will often snort, paw the ground, and lower its head. This is a clear warning sign that the bison is feeling threatened. But don’t mistake their calm demeanor for docility as bison can sprint at speeds of up to 35 mph and are incredibly agile, capable of leaping fences or scaling steep hillsides with surprising ease. They command respect—both from park visitors and from the landscape itself.

Life in Yellowstone is not easy. Winters are harsh, and predators, such as wolves and bears test the herd’s strength. This constant cycle of life and death is what keeps Yellowstone’s ecosystem vibrant and sustainable, but that doesn’t mean that these animals live their lives without any semblance of fun. In fact, in spite of the harsh conditions, younger bison can be especially playful.

These tourists were out for a ride on a Yellowstone snowcoach and they got to witness it firsthand. They came across a young bison who was having an absolute blast jumping around and rolling in the snow. It jumps up and down into the snow twisting around that seems to say it doesn’t like the vehicle, but it also seems to be pretty playful at the sight of the snow.

The bison stops jumping and immediately hits the ground and rolls to its side as the tourists laugh hysterically at it. It then stands up and doesn’t want to get out of their way as it runs in front of them.

Ol’ boy is having a TIME:

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