How do American Bison Survive Winter ?

 

  

When winter sets in and snowstorms cover the desert in deep snow, bison use their heads as a kind of plow to push away the snow and reach the food below.  

You can see frozen snowballs hanging off the bison's mouth together with grass. These animals feed mainly on grass.

 

During the winter,  bison develop thick, wooly coats that protect them from freezing temperatures and harsh winds.  The bison's winter coat is so thick that it provides such effective insolation that the snow does not melt from the warmth of bison's skin.

I photographed these bison yesterday on Antelope Island. Fortunately, the whole day was sunny and without a snowstorm.

Generally, life is good.