In the region northwest of the Sheyenne grasslands, the explorers encountered the Mandans.

October 25, 1804. Clark: passed the 3rd old Village of the Mandans which has been Desd. for many years,     this Village was situated on an eminance of about 40 feet above the water on the L. S.     back for Several miles is a butifull Plain at a Short distance above this old Village on a Continuation of the same eminance was Situated the Ricares Village which has been avacuated only Six years October 18, 1804. Clark: The Countrey in this Quarter is Generally leavel & fine     Some high short hills, and some ragid ranges of Hills at a Distance.

More about the animals October 20, 1804. Clark: Great numbers of Buffalow Elk & Deer, Goats. our hunters killed 10 Deer & a Goat to day and wounded a white Bear I saw several fresh tracks of those animals which is 3 times as large as a mans track The wind hard all Day from the N.E. & East, great numbers of buffalow Swimming the river I observe near all large gangues of Buffalow wolves and when the buffalow move those animals follow, and feed on those that are killed by accident or those that are too pore or fat to keep up with the gangue.

Find out more: Sprawl in North Dakota Lewis and Clark in North Dakota Natural History of North Dakota Endangered Species in ND Intertribal Bison Cooperative "Beauty and the Badlands" Sierra Magazine: Lewis and Clark