What is the largest mammal in Yellowstone?

American bison
  • Bison are the largest grazing mammals in Yellowstone National Park. ...
  • Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48 states where a population of wild American bison has persisted since prehistoric times, although fewer than 50 native bison remained there in 1902.




The Bison is the largest land mammal in Yellowstone National Park and, by extension, North America. In 2026, these prehistoric-looking giants remain the park's most iconic residents. A mature bull can weigh up to 2,000 pounds (over 900 kg) and stand six feet tall at the shoulder. Despite their massive size, they are surprisingly agile, capable of running up to 35 mph and jumping over fences. Yellowstone is unique because it is the only place in the United States where a wild bison population has lived continuously since prehistoric times. While they appear docile as they graze in Hayden or Lamar Valley, they are unpredictable and responsible for more visitor injuries than bears or wolves combined; park rangers strictly enforce a "stay back 25 yards" rule to ensure both human safety and the protection of these majestic, multi-ton animals.

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Bison - National Park Service Bison are the largest mammals in Yellowstone National Park. They are strictly vegetarian, a grazer of grasslands and sedges in the meadows, the foothills, and even the high-elevation, forested plateaus of Yellowstone. Bison males, called bulls, can weigh upwards of 1,800 pounds.

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The wolverine is probably the rarest animal seen in Yellowstone. The US Fish and Wildlife Service: Wolverines are the largest land-dwelling member of the mustelid family and are extremely rare in the continental United States.

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Even though Yellowstone is probably the best place in the world to spot wild wolves, it's not always easy to find them. Yellowstone itself is more than 2.2 million acres and is surrounded by Wilderness areas, so wolves have a lot of room to roam and often disappear for days or weeks.

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The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica.

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Big Bird the Sandhill Crane at Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

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About 800 moose inhabit the southern part of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park and surrounding national forests. Moose are most heavily concentrated in Grand Teton Park. Look for them at Willow Flats, Christian Pond (near Willow Flats) and around Oxbow Bend.

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Yellowstone provides summer range for an estimated 10,000–20,000 elk (Cervus canadensis) from six to seven herds, most of which winter at lower elevations outside the park. These herds provide visitor enjoyment as well as revenue to local economies through hunting outside the park.

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