Buffalo vs. Bison — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 1, 2023
Buffalo are wild cattle from Africa and Asia, with large horns; bison are sturdy North American and European species with shaggy manes and humped shoulders.
Difference Between Buffalo and Bison
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Buffalo, as a term, generally refers to the water buffalo from Asia and the African buffalo. Conversely, the word bison refers to the large, hump-shouldered animals found in North America and Europe, with two distinct species known as the American bison and the European bison.
Buffalo are characterized by their large, curved horns and relatively smooth coats. In contrast, bison have thick fur, especially in the front of their body, a large hump at their shoulders, and shorter, sharper horns when compared to buffalo.
In cultural contexts, buffalo have been integral to the lives of various Asian and African communities for centuries, particularly as domesticated animals. Bison, particularly the American bison, hold a significant place in the history and culture of Native American tribes, symbolizing abundance and the natural wealth of the Great Plains.
The African buffalo is notorious for being one of the most dangerous animals to hunters, known for their unpredictable nature. Bison, while also potentially dangerous if provoked, are more often celebrated for their role in the prairie ecosystem and efforts to conserve them have been emblematic of North American wildlife conservation.
Comparison Chart
Horns
Long, curved horns
Shorter, sharper horns
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Habitat
Asia and Africa
North America and Europe
Body
Less hair, no shoulder hump
Shaggy mane, distinctive shoulder hump
Size
Can be larger in size
Typically robust with heavy forequarters
Domestication
Widely domesticated
Primarily wild, with some ranching
Compare with Definitions
Buffalo
An animal known for its significant role in agriculture.
The buffalo plowed the fields in rural Asia.
Bison
An animal symbolic of the American West.
The bison has become an icon of American wildlife.
Buffalo
A species including the African buffalo, Syncerus caffer.
African buffalos are a member of the Big Five game animals.
Bison
A creature with a significant conservation story.
The near-extinction and recovery of the bison is a well-known tale.
Buffalo
The name for domesticated species used in Asia for milk and meat.
The buffalo provides milk that is richer than cow's milk.
Bison
A large, humpbacked animal native to North America.
The bison roamed the Great Plains in vast herds.
Buffalo
An animal represented in various cultural and historical contexts.
The buffalo is often depicted in traditional Asian art.
Bison
A species known for its woolly fur.
Bison fur is used in various traditional Native American garments.
Buffalo
Any of several large African and Asian ruminant mammals of the family Bovidae, such as the water buffalo and the African buffalo.
Bison
Bison are large, even-toed ungulates in the genus Bison within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant and six extinct species are recognised.
Buffalo
The American bison (Bison bison).
Bison
A bovine mammal (Bison bison) of western North America, having large forequarters, a shaggy mane, and a massive head with short curved horns; a buffalo.
Buffalo
The flesh of the American bison, used as food.
Bison
A bovine mammal (Bison bonasus) of Europe, similar to the American bison but with a somewhat smaller head and longer horns; a wisent.
Buffalo
Any of several North American suckers of the genus Ictiobus, having a dark body and an arched back. Also called buffalo fish.
Bison
The flesh of the American bison, used as food.
Buffalo
To intimidate or frighten, as by a display of authority
“The board couldn't buffalo the federal courts as it had the Comptroller” (American Banker).
Bison
A large, wild bovid of the genus Bison.
Buffalo
To confuse or deceive
“Too often ... job seekers have buffaloed lenders as to their competency and training” (H. Jane Lehman).
Bison
The aurochs or European bison.
Buffalo
Any of the Old World mammals of the family Bovidae, such as the Cape buffalo, Syncerus caffer, or the water buffalo Bubalus bubalis.
Bison
Any of several large shaggy-maned humped bovids having large heads and short horns
Buffalo
A related North American animal, the American bison, Bison bison.
Bison
An animal that is not to be confused with the buffalo, despite common misnomers.
Bison are distinct from the buffalo found in Asia and Africa.
Buffalo
Ellipsis of buffalo robe
Buffalo
The buffalo fish (Ictiobus spp.).
Buffalo
A nickel.
Buffalo
(transitive) To hunt buffalo.
Buffalo
To outwit, confuse, deceive, or intimidate.
Buffalo
To pistol-whip.
Buffalo
A species of the genus Bos or Bubalus (Bubalus bubalus), originally from India, but now found in most of the warmer countries of the eastern continent. It is larger and less docile than the common ox, and is fond of marshy places and rivers.
Buffalo
A very large and savage species of the same genus (Syncerus Caffer syn. Bubalus Caffer) found in South Africa; - called also Cape buffalo.
Buffalo
Any species of wild ox.
Buffalo
The bison of North America.
Buffalo
A buffalo robe. See Buffalo robe, below.
Buffalo
The buffalo fish. See Buffalofish, below.
Buffalo
Large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
Buffalo
A city on Lake Erie in western New York (near Niagara Falls)
Buffalo
Meat from an American bison
Buffalo
Any of several Old World animals resembling oxen including, e.g., water buffalo; Cape buffalo
Buffalo
Intimidate or overawe
Buffalo
A large bovine animal, primarily found in Asia and Africa.
Water buffalo are essential for farming in many Asian cultures.
Common Curiosities
Are water buffalo the same as African buffalo?
No, they are different species; the water buffalo is from Asia, while the African buffalo is native to Africa.
Are buffalo and bison the same species?
No, buffalo and bison are distinct species belonging to different genera.
Is bison meat similar to buffalo meat?
Bison meat is leaner and considered more nutritious, while true buffalo meat is less common in Western markets.
What is the significance of bison to Native American cultures?
Bison were a vital source of food, clothing, and materials for Native American tribes.
How can you distinguish a bison from a buffalo?
Look for a large shoulder hump and shaggy mane which are characteristic of bison.
Do bison still roam wild in the United States?
Yes, there are several reserves and national parks where bison live in the wild.
What is a group of bison called?
A group of bison is known as a herd.
Can you ride a buffalo or a bison?
Both are generally not considered rideable animals; domestic buffalo in some regions may be an exception for certain uses.
Is there a size difference between buffalo and bison?
Size can vary within each species, but both can grow to be quite large, with some buffalo species being larger.
Were American bison ever nearly extinct?
Yes, American bison faced near-extinction in the late 1800s due to overhunting.
Are buffalo or bison used in farming?
Water buffalos are used in farming in Asia; bison are not typically used for traditional farming.
Can bison be domesticated like buffalo?
Bison are not typically domesticated like water buffalo, which are used for agricultural purposes.
Are buffalo an endangered species?
The status varies by species; some buffalo populations are stable while others may be at risk.
Can buffalo be found outside of Asia and Africa?
Yes, but mostly in domesticated form or in conservation parks and zoos.
Do bison and buffalo have the same diet?
Both are herbivores and primarily graze on grasses, but their specific diets can vary by habitat.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
