Buffalo vs. Ox — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
Buffalo are large, wild bovines with heavy horns; oxen are domesticated cattle trained for work, often castrated.
Difference Between Buffalo and Ox
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Buffaloes are members of the Bovidae family, found in Africa and Asia, known for their large size, heavy horns, and wild nature. Oxen, on the other hand, are domesticated bovines, often males that have been castrated, used primarily as draft animals.
While both buffalo and oxen are herbivorous and part of the broader bovine family, buffaloes are typically wild and found in diverse habitats, such as wetlands and savannas. Oxen are domesticated creatures, raised and trained by humans for agricultural purposes.
Buffaloes, such as the African buffalo and the water buffalo, play key roles in their ecosystems, often impacting the environment in ways that benefit other species. Oxen contribute mainly to human agricultural development, being used to plow fields, haul carts, and for other heavy labor tasks.
Physical differences are notable as well: buffalo have large, distinctive horns which can span over a meter, and they have a more robust build. The term "ox" is not a species but a designation for cattle that have been put to work, which may have horns or may be hornless, depending on the breed.
The conservation status and management of buffaloes are often subjects of ecological concern, with some species being threatened or endangered. Oxen, while not wild animals, are an important part of sustainable farming and cultural practices in many parts of the world.
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Comparison Chart
Species
Wild species (e.g., African, water buffalo)
Domesticated cattle
Usage
Not typically used for labor
Used for labor, especially in agriculture
Domestication
Generally wild
Domesticated animals
Horns
Large and heavy, crescent or swept-back
Varying; can be large or small, if present
Habitat
Wetlands, grasslands, forests
Farms and rural areas
Compare with Definitions
Buffalo
Wild cattle of several species
The African buffalo is known for its unpredictable nature.
Ox
A draft animal
Farmers used an ox for plowing fields before tractors were common.
Buffalo
A large bovine animal
The buffalo roamed the vast plains freely.
Ox
A symbol of strength
In many cultures, the ox represents hard work and endurance.
Buffalo
A city in New York
Buffalo is known for its heavy winter snow.
Ox
A bovine of either sex
Oxen were essential to early American settlers.
Buffalo
An animal of the Bovidae family
The water buffalo is an essential part of rural agriculture in Asia.
Ox
A castrated male bovine
The ox pulled the cart up the hill effortlessly.
Buffalo
Any of several large African and Asian ruminant mammals of the family Bovidae, such as the water buffalo and the African buffalo.
Ox
Large domesticated cattle
An ox can weigh over a thousand kilograms.
Buffalo
The American bison (Bison bison).
Ox
An ox (plural oxen), also known as a bullock (in BrE, AusE& IndE), is a male bovine trained and used as a draft animal. Oxen are commonly castrated adult male cattle; castration inhibits testosterone and aggression, which makes the males docile and safer to work with.
Buffalo
The flesh of the American bison, used as food.
Ox
A domesticated bovine animal kept for milk or meat; a cow or bull
He was tall and broad and as strong as an ox
Buffalo
Any of several North American suckers of the genus Ictiobus, having a dark body and an arched back. Also called buffalo fish.
Ox
An adult castrated bull of the genus Bos, especially B. taurus, used chiefly as a draft animal.
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).
Ox
A bovine mammal, especially one that has been domesticated.
Buffalo
To confuse or deceive
“Too often ... job seekers have buffaloed lenders as to their competency and training” (H. Jane Lehman).
Ox
An adult castrated male of cattle (B. taurus), especially when used as a beast of burden.
Buffalo
Any of the Old World mammals of the family Bovidae, such as the Cape buffalo, Syncerus caffer, or the water buffalo Bubalus bubalis.
Ox
Any bovine animal (genus Bos). A neat, a beef.
Buffalo
A related North American animal, the American bison, Bison bison.
Ox
Abbreviation of oxygen
Buffalo
Ellipsis of buffalo robe
Ox
The male of bovine quadrupeds, especially the domestic animal when castrated and grown to its full size, or nearly so. The word is also applied, as a general name, to any species of bovine animals, male and female.
All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field.
Buffalo
The buffalo fish (Ictiobus spp.).
Ox
An adult castrated bull of the genus Bos; especially Bos taurus
Buffalo
A nickel.
Ox
Any of various wild bovines especially of the genera Bos or closely related Bibos
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
Common Curiosities
Is "Buffalo" ever used in a non-animal sense?
Yes, "Buffalo" can refer to a city in New York or as a verb meaning to intimidate or baffle.
What is an ox?
An ox is a domesticated, often castrated male cattle used for work.
Are all oxen male?
While oxen are traditionally male, the term can refer to any bovine trained for draft work.
Do oxen have horns?
Some oxen have horns, while others are dehorned, depending on the breed and use.
What is a buffalo?
A buffalo is a large, horned bovine found in Africa and Asia, typically in the wild.
What type of work do oxen perform?
Oxen are used for plowing, pulling carts, and other heavy-duty tasks on farms.
Is there a difference in the diet between buffalo and oxen?
Both are herbivores but their diets may differ based on their habitat and domestication.
Can buffalo be domesticated like oxen?
Buffalo are not typically domesticated like oxen, which are bred and trained for labor.
Are water buffalo true buffaloes?
Yes, water buffalo are one of the species classified as true buffaloes.
Can female cattle be called oxen?
The term oxen typically refers to males but can be used for females in a draft context.
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Written 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.
