Many people mix up bison and buffalo because they look similar. Both are big, horned animals in the Bovidae family. But, they are not the same. There are two types of bison: the American and the European. On the other hand, there are two types of buffalo: the water buffalo and the Cape buffalo.
To tell them apart, look at the three H’s: home, hump, and horns. The song “Home on the Range” might make you think buffalo live in the American West. But, they actually come from South Asia (water buffalo) and Africa (Cape buffalo). Bison, however, live in North America and parts of Europe.
Bison vs. Buffalo: Understanding the Distinction
The American bison, often called “buffalo,” is different from the true buffalo found in Africa and Asia. These bovine animals look similar but belong to different groups within the Bovidae family. Their origins, homes, and traits are quite different.
The American bison (Bison bison) lives in North America and numbers over 350,000. On the other hand, the buffalo includes the African or Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in sub-Saharan Africa and the wild Asian water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) in Asia, North Africa, and Southern Europe.
Bison and buffalo look different, especially in their back hump and head size. Bison have a bigger head and stronger legs for foraging in harsh winters. These features help them survive in North America.
Both bison and buffalo eat plants, but they do it differently. Bison have been raised by American farmers for years. Their meat is a healthy and green choice compared to traditional beef. Yankee Farmer’s Market offers pasture-raised bison products like ground, steaks, burgers, and more. All these come from within 200 miles of the farm.
Geographic Distribution: Home on the Range
| Species | Native Range | Current Population |
|---|---|---|
| American Bison | North America (formerly) | Around 30,000 in conservation herds, plus 500,000 managed commercially |
| Water Buffalo | South Asia | Over 200 million (mostly domesticated) |
| Cape Buffalo | Africa | Approximately 370,000 |
Bison and buffalo have different homes across the globe. Bison, also known as American bison, once filled North America’s grasslands and prairies from Alaska to northern Mexico. Now, they occupy only about 1% of their old territory.
Before the 19th century, millions of bison roamed the Great Plains. By the 1980s, there were less than 1,000 left. Today, around 30,000 bison live in conservation herds, and another 500,000 are raised commercially.
Buffalo species live in different places around the world. The water buffalo is from South Asia, and the Cape buffalo is in Africa. These animals don’t live in the American West like the bison do.
Physical Characteristics: The Telltale Signs
| Characteristic | Bison | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Hump | Prominent hump at the shoulders | No hump |
| Head Size | Massive and imposing | Smaller and more “cow-like” |
| Fur | Thick and dense | Less dense |
| Horns | Shorter and more pointed | Larger and more pronounced arc |
Bison and buffalo have many differences in their looks. One big difference is the hump on the bison’s shoulders. This hump helps the bison move snow and debris in winter.
Another difference is their heads. Bison have big, powerful heads, while buffalo have smaller, more like cows. The bison’s fur is thicker, keeping it warm in cold weather.
The bison and buffalo have different horns too. Bison horns are short and sharp. Buffalo horns are bigger and curve more. These differences help tell them apart.
Bison: Masters of Harsh Climates
| Bison Adaptations to Harsh Climates | Significance |
|---|---|
| Thick, Shaggy Fur Coat | Provides insulation and protection from the cold |
| Prominent Shoulder Hump | Stores fat reserves that can be used for energy during the winter |
| Sweeping Head Movements | Allows bison to clear away snow to access their food sources |
Bison are iconic symbols of the American West. They are experts at surviving harsh environments. Their thick fur coats and impressive shoulder humps help them face the cold winters and hot summers of the prairie.
The American bison, known as Bison bison, is one of only two living members of the bison family. The other is the European bison (Bison bonasus). Unlike other bovines, bison are more like domestic cattle.
Bison eat grasses, flowers, lichen, and woody leaves all year. In winter, their large heads help clear snow to get to their food. This has let them live and thrive in the Great Plains for thousands of years.
Bison have shown great resilience and adaptability. After their numbers dropped, conservation efforts helped bring them back. Now, about 500,000 bison roam the United States. These animals inspire us with their strength and the beauty of the American West.
Buffalo: Docile and Domesticated
| Characteristic | Bison | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Domestication | Difficult to domesticate due to aggressive behavior | More easily domesticated due to their docile nature, as seen with the water buffalo |
| Meat and Milk Production | Raised by some farmers and ranchers for their meat, but not as widely domesticated as buffalo species | Widely used for meat and milk production, especially the water buffalo in Asia and Africa |
| Temperament | Aggressive and unpredictable | Typically more docile, with exceptions like the Cape buffalo |
Bison are known for being aggressive and hard to tame. But buffalo are different. They are more calm, making them easier to use for things like meat and milk.
The water buffalo is a great example of a domesticated buffalo. They live in Asia and Africa and are used for food. The Cape buffalo in Africa is more aggressive and harder to tame than others.
Bison and buffalo are very different. Bison are wild and hard to manage. Buffalo, on the other hand, are more friendly and useful to people. This makes buffalo common and useful in many places.
Horns: A Distinctive Trait
| Species | Horn Size |
|---|---|
| Cape Buffalo | Over 3 feet (0.9 meters) across |
| Water Buffalo | Up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) across |
| American Bison | Around 2 feet (0.6 meters) in length |
Bison and buffalo are easily told apart by their horns. Buffalo, like the Cape and water buffalo, have much bigger horns than bison.
Buffalo horns can grow over 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide. They curve a lot, making them stand out. On the other hand, bison horns are shorter and pointier, about 2 feet (0.6 meters) long for both males and females.
The size and shape of bison horns and buffalo horns are key to telling these animals apart. These bovine horn characteristics show how each species has adapted to its environment. The horn function also reflects these adaptations.
Dietary Habits: Grazers of the Plains
Bison and buffalo eat grasses all year. But they also like flowering plants, lichen, and leaves. In winter, they use their big heads to clear snow and find food.
They have a special four-chambered stomach, like cows and elk. This helps them digest tough grasses and sedges. As generalist foragers, they eat many types of plants, even trees when food is hard to find.
Bison create areas with different types of plants, which helps plants and animals around them. They love areas that have been burned because they have tasty, rich grasses. Their slow digestion lets them eat lower-quality food, unlike quick-eating animals like rabbits.
Bison and cattle eat differently. Cattle like areas near water and trees, but bison don’t. Cattle eat mostly grasses and a few wildflowers. Bison don’t make areas near water and trees very trampled, showing how they affect their surroundings differently.
Behavior and Temperament: Gentle Giants or Aggressive Beasts?
Bison are known for their bold and confident nature. They are not to be underestimated, reacting aggressively when they feel threatened. It’s important to keep a safe distance from them to avoid any issues.
They have sharp hearing and smell but not the best eyesight. This can lead to sudden stampedes if they feel surprised or threatened. Seeing a whole herd run off can be both amazing and scary for those nearby.
On the other hand, buffalo are usually calmer. Both bison and buffalo males may show off by charging and head-butting, but these moments rarely turn deadly. The way these animals act and live together can be quite different, with bison being more likely to get aggressive than buffalo.
Bison: Roaming Remnants of the Past
Once, millions of American bison roamed the Great Plains. By the 17th century, their numbers were between 30 to 100 million. But by the late 1800s, only a few dozen were left, all in Yellowstone National Park.
This huge drop was because of the U.S. government’s plan to hurt the Plains Indians. They killed the bison to take away the Indians’ food and way of life.
Thanks to conservation efforts over the last century, the bison are making a comeback. Now, there are about 30,000 in conservation herds. Plus, there are 500,000 more managed as livestock.
According to the National Bison Association, around 200,000 bison live on ranches and public lands in the U.S. Canada has another 160,000. But, the bison is still near threatened, showing we need to keep working to save it.
The bison’s strength and ability to live in tough climates make it a symbol of the American West. As they continue to roam, they remind us of our history and the need to protect nature for the future.