North American Prairie Bison
Grassland & Savanna
Mammals
Beginner
USA — South Dakota, Badlands
May to June
Overview
See free-roaming bison herds during calving season on restored tallgrass prairie.
Equipment
- Binoculars
- Telephoto lens
- Sun hat
- Water bottles
Safety Notes
- Bison are unpredictable and fast — stay 100m away
- Rattlesnakes present — watch your step
Identification Tips
1
Bison calves are born reddish-orange in May
2
Prairie dog towns are easy to locate by sound
3
Burrowing owls use prairie dog burrows
Species Checklist
| Species | Likelihood | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| American Bison | common | Open grassland herds |
| Prairie Dog | common | Visible towns with sentries |
| Burrowing Owl | uncommon | Near prairie dog towns |
| Pronghorn | common | Fastest land animal in Americas |