What Is the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?
Quick Answer
The difference between bison and buffalo has to do with the thick fur, short horns, massive head and distinct hump present in bison. Though they belong to the same family of mammals, the American bison is a distinct genus within the Bovidae family.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
Bison are well adapted to cold weather conditions, while buffalo, such as the African cape buffalo and Asian water buffalo species, tend to live in warmer climates. Buffalo have much longer horns, normally used to move brush or toss cool mud onto their bare skin for protection from the sun. Alternately, bison use their short, sharp horns for defense against predators.
The case of mistaken identity began when early European settlers arrived in North America and misidentified the bison as a species of buffalo they were familiar with. A clear distinction would later be identified, but the misnomer stuck around. The terms buffalo and bison are almost universally used interchangeably by most Americans when referring to the American bison.
Bison were never fully domesticated by early agricultural societies, while it is believed that both buffalo species are the root of modern beef and milk cattle for most of the world. The similarities between domestic cows and wild buffalo species are far greater than those shared by bison and buffalo.
Learn more about MammalsRelated Questions
-
Q:
What Does a Buffalo Look Like?
A: There are actually three different species with the common name buffalo. All three are large, dark brown or black horned mammals in the clade Bovidae, but ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How Many American Bison Are Left?
A: As of June of 2014, there are around 500,000 bison in the United States. This is an ever-growing number that is expected to nearly double. Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Is a Rhinoceros' Horn Made of Ivory?
A: Rhinoceros horns don't contain ivory, which is a hard, white material found in animal teeth and tusks. A rhinoceros' horn consists of keratin, the protein ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Is the Adaptation of the Rhinoceros?
A: Thanks to their facial horns, bulk and thick skin, adult rhinoceroses have very few predators. These adaptations, which are elements that animals evolve in... Full Answer >Filed Under:
You May Also Like
-
Q:
What Is the Difference Between Expressionists and Impressionists?
-
Q:
What Is the Difference Between a Book and a Novel?
-
Q:
What Is the Difference Between Soluble Fiber Foods and Insoluble Fiber Foods?
-
Q:
What Is the Difference Between Cerefolin and Cerefolin NAC?
-
Q:
What Is the Difference Between Silicone and Latex?
-
Q:
What Is the Difference Between Fungus and Bacteria?
