“It’s a time of headbutting, tail flagging, wallowing, and grumpiness,” wrote the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in an Instagram post sharing a video of a grunting bison. USFWS shared the video to warn the public that it’s rut season, and we should all anticipate the male “fluffy cows” to be in grumpy moods until September.
“It’s rut season, and the boys are grunting,” USFWS wrote in its post sharing the video. “This male bison is putting on his best Barry White impression at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa. [. . .] From July through September, male bison (bulls) compete for females (cows) in a dramatic and loud display of strength and stamina.”
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What does this mean for visitors to national parks like Yellowstone? If you plan to recreate in places where bison roam, keep rut behavior in mind when you come across these animals in the wild. USFWS advises: “Especially during mating season, bulls can be unpredictable and aggressive, so watch from the safety of your car.”
Also, never pet the fluffy cows. The National Park Service advises visitors stay at least 25 feet away from bison and elk and 100 feet away from bears, cougars, and wolves.
Turn your sound on to hear a grumpy bison grunting:
Header stock image by Ron Levine/Getty Images