[ethbr1]

They really are majestic creatures. (albeit a bit grumpy)

If anyone in the US hasn't seen one in person, I'd recommend making the effort. Much different experience than simply seeing a picture, especially if it's on open range like Yellowstone National Park.

They're huge (~10' long, 6' tall). They're heavy (~1700 lbs). They're fast (~40mph, in the locomotive, once-they-get-1700lbs-going sense).

And they fit perfectly in scale with the plains.

(Disclaimer: Don't approach them, as they generally don't like that. And you don't want one angry at you)

[brudgers]

The bison herd of Lamar Valley in Yellowstone is regularly on the road particularly around sunset. It's an amazing traffic jam.

Stay in your car of course.

[dboreham]

Accessible in winter, readers should note. (Most of Yellowstone can not be accessed by road in the winter).

[brudgers]

Right. It’s kept open in winter because it is the only access to Cooke City.

Wyoming 296 (Chief Joseph Highway) gets closed at the west end of Sunlight Basin.

[ethbr1]

During the winter, I believe there is snowmobile access, either guided or unguided (pass-limited-per-day): https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/snowmobiles-snowcoach...

[milleramp]

I heard they can also leap 6ft fences, which seems incredible for such a large mammal.

[ethbr1]

They have this spring thing, where you see them wind up for half a second and then they do something far more agile (accelerate, jump, etc.) than you'd expect... for something that weighs that much.

Will never forget meeting a group on a trail, stepping off behind a (SUV-sized) boulder, then feeling them spook a bit and in 2 seconds go from a leisurely walking to thundering trot. Earth shaking with them just in a mild hurry! Not even full speed!

But they're built to outfight anything smaller than them and outrun anything bigger than them, so I guess they're as strong/fast as they need to be.

[WalterBright]

It doesn't mean they lift their entire body up 6 ft. They just have to be high enough to clear the belly while lifting their legs up. Just like steeplechase runners do. High jumpers never have their center of gravity above the bar, they just kinda fold themselves over it.

[manchego]

I read this and thought surely the center of gravity still has to pass over the bar. But right you are, the center of gravity can pass below the bar since it's just the average point of the mass. Cool!

[Waterluvian]

Sounds like moose: far bigger, stronger, and faster than you were expecting.

[Spooky23]

If you’re in the NYC area, the Bronx Zoo has some. Not the same as the plains, but definitely a shorter drive.

They are fascinating creatures.

[ojbyrne]

There's also a small herd in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-24-mn-791-st...

[mint2]

Fun fact visitors might not know: San Francisco has some bison in Golden Gate Park.