Animalscaretips
From bison to threatening rattlesnakes, travelers reported seeing a variety of wildlife along the Oregon Trail.
- Bison. ...
- Pronghorns. ...
- Snakes. ...
- Prairie Dogs. ...
- Rabbits. ...
- Coyotes. ...
- Beavers. ...
- Prairie Grass.
- What was hunted on the Oregon Trail?
- What was the biggest killer on the Oregon Trail?
- What did animals eat on the Oregon Trail?
- What animals pulled wagons on the Oregon Trail?
- How did pioneers get dysentery?
- What was the most feared disease on the Oregon Trail?
- Was the Oregon Trail Safe?
- What did people drink on the Oregon Trail?
- What weapons did they have on the Oregon Trail?
- Why didn't most pioneers ride in their wagon?
- What are wagon tongues?
- Is an ox stronger than a mule?
- What was 3 dangers on the Oregon Trail?
- What were two main causes of death along the trail?
- Can you survive dysentery?
What was hunted on the Oregon Trail?
Millions of kids grew up playing Oregon Trail on their computers. They stocked up on oxen, hunted for buffalo, and watched their most beloved family members die of dysentery. ... But other strategies — like hunting for thousands of pounds of buffalo — would have been far more dangerous than the game suggested.
What was the biggest killer on the Oregon Trail?
1. Everyone Has Cholera. Then: The number one killer of the actual Oregon Trail, cholera is an infection of the intestines caused by ingesting the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. Spread through contaminated food or water, cholera released an enterotoxin that effectively flooded the intestines with excess water.
What did animals eat on the Oregon Trail?
Prairie Grass
The ample prairie grasses the pioneers traveled through along the Oregon Trail served as a food source for their oxen. The grass was a key reason why the travelers used the animal, because horses could not eat the plant.
What animals pulled wagons on the Oregon Trail?
Converted farm wagons, called Prairie Schooners, were actually used and pulled generally not by horses, but by oxen. In fact, oxen were led. There were no reins. Plus, the Prairie Schooner wagons often had no seat and the pioneers generally walked along the Trail.
How did pioneers get dysentery?
Dysentery
Since “the bathroom” wasn't a place that actually existed on the trail, pioneers were exposed to germs from sick people's poop, and naturally, dysentery spread.
What was the most feared disease on the Oregon Trail?
While cholera was the most widely feared disease among the overlanders, tens of thousands of people emigrated to Oregon and California over the course of a generation, and they brought along virtually every disease and chronic medical condition known to science short of leprosy and the Black Death.
Was the Oregon Trail Safe?
Dangers on the Oregon Trail
According to the Oregon California Trails Association, almost one in ten who embarked on the trail didn't survive. Most people died of diseases such as dysentery, cholera, smallpox or flu, or in accidents caused by inexperience, exhaustion and carelessness.
What did people drink on the Oregon Trail?
Milk was a filling drink, and unlike coffee beans, it wasn't heavy. They mixed it with cornmeal to make that mushy porridge. And it had another use, thanks to the rocky ride. Travelers hung pails of milk from the wagons.
What weapons did they have on the Oregon Trail?
Bacon was often hauled in large barrels packed in bran so the hot sun would not melt the fat. Each man took a rifle or shotgun and some added a pistol. A good hunting knife was essential. Farm implements such as a plow, shovel, scythe, rake, hoe; plus carpentry tools - saw, broad axe, mallet, plane.
Why didn't most pioneers ride in their wagon?
People didn't ride in the wagons often, because they didn't want to wear out their animals. Instead they walked alongside them, getting just as dusty as the animals. The long journey was hard on both people and animals. It was even hard on the wagons, which usually had to be repaired several times during the trip.
What are wagon tongues?
Informal abstaining (or no longer abstaining) from alcoholic drinks. vb. 8 tr to transport by wagon. (C16: from Dutch wagen wain)
Is an ox stronger than a mule?
Mules are strong, can go faster, but are often tricky to handle. Mules also had tendencies to bolt and become unruly. Oxen are slower, but more reliable and tougher than mules. ... Oxen were very strong and could haul fully-loaded wagons up ravines or drag them out of mudholes.
What was 3 dangers on the Oregon Trail?
TRAIL BASICS - DANGERS. Major threats to pioneer life and limb came from accidents, exhaustion, and disease. Crossing rivers were probably the most dangerous thing pioneers did.
What were two main causes of death along the trail?
Emigrants feared death from a variety of causes along the trail: lack of food or water; Indian attacks; accidents or rattlesnake bites were a few. But the number one killer, by a wide margin, was disease. The most dangerous diseases were those spread by poor sanitary conditions and personal contact.
Can you survive dysentery?
Dysentery is an infection of the intestinal tract. Many people have mild symptoms, but dysentery can be fatal without adequate hydration.
