Bison celebratory running


I call it "celebratory running" because the bison appear to be running out of sheer joy rather than fear of something.  I don't know if this phenomena is seen in other bison herds but my herd appears to do it every month or so.  The above video captures a brief moment of the beginnings of one of these runs.  It's unfortunately the only video I've been able to record of the event. 

The process starts when one or two bison begin energetically chasing each other in close proximity to the other bison.  The other bison will watch with interest and several more will then join in the chase as it weaves through and circles around the herd.  More and more animals join until eventually the entire herd is a swirling energetic crowd of bison moving across the pasture at a fast pace.

To many people celebratory running can look a lot like other types of running, but there are differences.  Bison in a herd running out of fear, for instance, will focus more on things outside of the herd and less on each other.  The animals stay in a tight group and tend to act in unison.  With celebratory running the bison are focused mostly on playful interactions with each other.  The animals are grouped more loosely with each animal doing it's own thing.  Some bison may make mock charges at each other, while others will sprint, stot, or buck. It's a high energy event and always fun to watch. 

Comments

  1. Tall PinesJanuary 22, 2018 at 11:30:00 PM EST

    Does having calves change frequency or behavior of the celebratory running?

    When I just had yearlings they would do this. I think because I consider yearlings as teenagers with energy to burn when they are bored. Cows tend not to do celebratory running, except when they have calves and the calves get worked up with energy and run around. Sometimes the cows will join but only for a short time. I imagine having a large full udder would make much running uncomfortable.

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    Replies
    1. Buffalo DanJanuary 23, 2018 at 11:56:00 AM EST

      Good to hear from you and that's a great question. Back when all the animals in our herd were young I had assumed that it was a teenager thing. However, they never stopped doing these runs and I even once saw them celebratory running when all of the cows were very pregnant. At that time there were no youngsters around.

      The only time they seem to stop doing the runs is when the calves were newborn. At that time the whole herd goes into stealth mode and spend a lot of their time in the woods. I have to use the thermal imager to see if they are still on the ranch.

      I always find it interesting to compare cattle behavior with bison behavior. They are probably more alike than different, but it's always interesting when you find a difference.

      Delete
    2. Buffalo DanJanuary 23, 2018 at 12:30:00 PM EST

      To extend my response on comparing bison with cattle I would add that, in my limited experience, bison and cattle share many of the same behaviors, but bison tend to exhibit more extremes in those behaviors.

      At other times they seem very different. Vocalizations are a good example of the difference. Bison are largely a quiet species compared to cattle. Aside from the roaring bulls sometimes do during fights, the only noises you will hear are the calls between mother and calf. Those calls between mother and calf are what people are hearing when they see the larger herds in our national parks.

      Delete
  2. Tall PinesJanuary 26, 2018 at 10:40:00 PM EST

    Thanks for the response.

    An interesting article I read today. http://www.klove.com/news/2018/01/25/Cow-Escapes-Farm-To-Run-Free-With-Wild-Bison/

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