Bison and Buffalo

The species comparison series has returned. This week we’ll look at the difference between buffalo and bison, an animal frequently called a buffalo. Both of these beasts are members of the bovine (cow) family.

Bison live in North America and eastern Europe. Buffalo live in Africa and Asia. The bison have larger heads than buffalo, and also sport a large hump over the shoulders, something the buffalo lack. The buffalo has larger horns than the bison, and overall weighs more. Placing the two side by side, the buffalo (both African cape buffalo and Asian water buffalo species) looks more like a domesticated cow than either American or European bison.

Bison or buffalo?

To tell the difference between the buffalo species, look at the horns. Water buffalo horns grow out and up. Cape buffalo horns grow down before arcing out and up, and look like a handlebar mustache on the animal’s head.

Water buffalo, native to Asia (Wikipedia)

Cape buffalo, native to Africa (Wikipedia)

The differences between American and European bison are more subtle. There are differences in the face, but it's not something I know how to describe. The American bison has a more pronounced hump than its European counterpart. The European bison is taller, while the American is hairier.

American bison

European bison (Free Nature Images)

Check back next week as we continue this series, going back to amphibian species. This week's information comes from Live Science.