January 27, 2022
Everyone needs to see a buffalo up close.
I live in Oklahoma and there are several wildlife preserves where buffalo (also called bison) live in herds. This part of the country is where they traditionally lived, and they played an important role on the North American plains for centuries. (The ones I saw in this photo were at Woolaroc, the ranch retreat of oilman Frank Phillips that is now a 3,700-acre wildlife preserve and world-class art museum.)
They’re amazing creatures. Here are few facts you might not know about them:
- Buffalo can be up to 7 feet long and stand up to 6 feet tall.
- They are the LARGEST land animal in North America, and they can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.
- Their thick brown fur keeps them warm on the snowy, frozen plains during the winter.
- Buffalo are herbivores and feed on about 60 pounds of plants and grasses a day.
Oh, and don’t try to pet a buffalo. They can run at speeds up to 40 mph, which is as fast as a horse. (No, I didn’t try).
Why do I bring this up? Sometimes it’s just fun to appreciate wonders around you — like an amazing animal that has been around since saber tooth tigers. I mean, it’s THE biggest animal in North America and one of the fastest. It’s also a part of the history of the American West. What’s not to like about all of that?
Yep. Everyone needs to see a buffalo up close.