The Difference Between Bison and Buffalo
When discussing the world’s largest land animals, you may interchangeably use the terms bison and buffalo. However, did you know that both of these animals belong to different families and have different characteristics? Here are the main differences between bison and buffalo.
Family
The American bison belongs to the Bovidae family, while the African buffalo is a part of the Syncerus family. This is the primary difference between bison and buffalo as they belong to separate genetic families.
Physical Features
While bison and buffalo share similar physical features such as large head, shaggy fur, and a hump on their shoulders, there are some noticeable differences between the two. Bison have a more massive head than buffaloes, and their horns are shorter and rounder. On the other hand, buffaloes have longer and curved horns. Bison has a distinct hump on their shoulders, and their forequarters are stronger than the hindquarters. Buffalo, on the other hand, appears like a square when standing because their fore and hindquarters weigh precisely the same.
Habitat and Geographic Location
Buffalo inhabit Africa, mainly in savannahs, grasslands, and forests in southern and eastern Africa. Bison, on the other hand, are native to North America and are found mainly in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Bison may inhabit open plains or forested areas, depending on the subspecies.
Diet
Bison and buffalo have different dietary habits. The American bison feeds on the grass, while African buffaloes consume a variety of vegetation, including leaves, stems, and fruits from trees and shrubs.
Breeding
Both bison and buffalo mate during the fall, with a gestation period of around eight months. However, buffaloes live in herds with one dominant male, while bison may form mixed herds or all-male groups.
In conclusion, while bison and buffalo may appear similar at first glance, they have different characteristics that put them into separate categories. Therefore, understanding these differences is crucial when it comes to conservation efforts and wildlife management.
Table difference between bison and buffalo
| Bison | Buffalo |
|---|---|
| Bison is native to North America. | Buffalo is native to Africa and Asia. |
| Bison has a large hump on its shoulders. | Buffalo has no hump on its shoulders. |
| Bison has a dark brown fur coat. | Buffalo has a lighter brown fur coat. |
| Bison has a shorter, curved horn. | Buffalo has longer, straighter horns. |
| Bison are herbivores who mainly eat grass. | Buffalo are also herbivores but eat a wider variety of plants. |