Bison vs Buffalo: 6 Key Differences
Key Points
- Bison and buffalo are often confused, especially in North America.
- A key difference between the two is shoulder shape and horn length.
- While Buffalo are found in Asia and Africa, Bison live in North America.
When settlers first visited the new world and witnessed bison, they thought they looked like the Cape and water buffalo from other parts of the world, so they called them buffalo, and this misnomer continues to today.
However, buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and bison (Bison bison) are two entirely different animal species. They are both part of the cow family, so what is the real difference? To begin with, bison have larger heads and shoulders, paired with much shorter horns, while buffalo have more proportionate head and shoulders, and much larger, more curved horns.
Comparing Buffalo vs Bison
| Bison | Buffalo | |
| Size | Weight: 2,200lbs -2,500lbs Height: 5ft-6ft |
Weight: 1,300lbs – 2,000lbs Height: 4ft – 4.5ft |
| Speed and Movement Type | 35 mph | 30 mph |
| Horns | – Short horns reaching 2ft | – Long horns that grow 6ft horizontally and then curl up another 2-3ft |
| Senses | – Poor eyesight as they are nearsighted – Powerful sense of smell that can locate animals more than a mile away – Great sense of hearing |
– Great sense of smell – Very good eyesight – Excellent sense of hearing |
| Defenses | – Vast body size – High speed |
– Massive body – Speed |
| Offensive Capabilities | – Trampling – Ramming with horns |
– Can trample and stomp on other creatures – Uses horns to gore enemies |
The easiest way to show the differences between these animals is to make a size comparison between the buffalo and the bison. Though water buffalo are the heaviest at nearly 2700 pounds, a typical bison is around 12 feet from head to tail, weighing in at about 2200 pounds, while a water buffalo is only about nine feet in length.
The Cape buffalo is 11 feet long but usually weighs just under a ton. Bulls from both species of bison are about six feet high, while buffalo of both types are closer to four or five feet.
Types of Bison and Buffalo
PACO COMO/Shutterstock.com
Though we will mainly focus on the American Bison and the African Buffalo, there are three species of buffalo and also three types of bison. They live in different parts of the world and have some morphological differences as a result.
Generally speaking, though, it’s clear that bison and buffalo are highly different and rather easy to tell apart when you are looking at their most noticeable differences.
We are going to start exploring the different types of buffalo by looking at their three species.
African/Cape (Syncerus caffer)
Found all over the continent of Africa, the Cape species have broad, curling horns that cover much of the tops of their heads.
Asian water (Bubalus arnee)
This animal, which closely resembles a domestic cow, save for its horns, is found primarily in India and is considered endangered.
Domestic water (Bubalus bubalis)
This smaller species is found in China and other parts of Asia.
It’s also important to look at the different types of bison that exist in the world today. Interestingly, bison are found in North America and parts of Europe.
American
This North American animal has two subspecies.
Plains (Bison bison)
These animals are found mostly on the American prairie.
Wood (Bison bison athbascae)
This species is found in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska.
European (Bison bonasus)
This species was extinct in the wild, but was bred in captivity and reintroduced across Europe in the late 20th century.
| Bison | Buffalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 2,200 to 2,500 lbs. | 1,300 to 2,000 lbs. |
| Lifespan | 15 to 20 years | 15 to 25 years |
| Habitat | Grasslands, prairies, forests | Woodland, grass pastures, marshes |
| Species | American bison in North America. European bison in Europe. |
African buffalo and water Buffalo. |
| Body | Large heads and a shoulder hump | Larger horns and no shoulder hump |
The 6 Key Differences Between Bison and Buffalo
massimofusaro/Shutterstock.com
The main physical differences between these animals are that bison are larger, heavier, and have bigger heads than buffalo. Bison also have a large shoulder hump and a shaggy fur coat that grows thick in the winter, especially around their head and neck.
Buffalo have large, pronounced horns that extend from the side of their head for several feet and then curl up, but bison have shorter, thinner horns that grow directly from the top of their head and slightly curl.
Bison are exclusively located in North America and very small parts of Eastern Europe where they were bred and released into the wild after being extinct. Buffalo live in Africa and Asia and have larger numbers in the wild compared with bison.
Bison vs Buffalo: Location
Buffalo are found in Asia and Africa. However, Bison are found in North America and Europe. That means bison deal with colder weather and need thicker fur than buffalo.
Bison vs Buffalo: Head and shoulders
Bison have massive heads and a large shoulder hump. Buffalo heads are much more proportionate to their bodies and they have no hump.
Bison vs Buffalo: Body shape
Buffalo has fairly straight backs, with necks that extend up at an angle like most quadrupeds. Because of their huge heads and large shoulder humps, bison have much larger fronts, and their backs appear to slope downward from shoulder to rump.
Bison vs Buffalo: Horns
The horn comparison must include both Asian and African buffalo, as well as bison. Bison all have short, relatively slender horns that curve out of their heads, a couple of inches above their eyes. Water buffalo have wider horns that grow sideways out of their heads before curving up, with spans that can reach up to six feet. African buffalo have very wide horns that typically cover the top of their heads and resemble massive handlebar mustaches.
Bison vs Buffalo: Fur
Buffalo has thin, sparse fur that they keep year-round. Bison have a shaggy winter coat that they shed in the summer months. The fur of these animals makes it easy to tell the two apart.
Bison vs Buffalo: Size
For the most part, bison are longer, taller, and heavier than buffalo. African buffalo are smaller in all three ways, though Asian water buffalo are actually heavier than both, coming in at nearly 3000 pounds.
These are the key differences between bison and buffalo, so it should be much easier to recognize how each creature is different from the other.
Summary: Bison vs Buffalo
| Characteristic | Buffalo | Bison |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Heavier | Longer, taller |
| Location | Asia, Africa | Europe, North America |
| Body Shape | Straight back, quadruped neck extension |
Larger front to back ratio |
| Shoulders/head | Proportionate, no hump | Massive head, shoulder hump |
| Horns | Wide, curving | Relatively slender |
| Fur | Thin | Heavy, shed in warmer months |
Up Next…
There is much to learn about the differences between different cow relatives. Check out these articles to answer more of your questions:
- Cape Buffalo vs Water Buffalo: What Are the Differences? – Is location the only difference in these animals?
- Buffalo vs Cow: What Are the Main Differences? – You may think cows and buffalo have nothing in common and, while they have their differences, you may be surprised to find their similarities!
- European Bison vs American Bison: 4 Key Differences Explained – While a major difference is in the name, other key characteristics distinguish these bison.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is a Bison the same thing as a Buffalo?
No, buffalo and bison are different species, though they are both in the cow family.
What’s the difference between a Bison and a Buffalo?
Buffalo are smaller and have larger horns compared to their head size. Bison are only found in North America.
Is Bison another name for Buffalo?
Technically, no. Though the names of these two species are often used interchangeably in North America, they are not the same animal.
Why do we call bison buffalo?
When the first travelers came to North America, they thought the bison here resembled the buffalo back in other parts of the world, so that is what they called them. As for why we still call them that today, it may have something to do with the popular old western song “Home on the Range.”
Is a bison larger than a buffalo?
Yes, a side-by-side comparison shows that a bison is generally larger than a buffalo, particularly through the head and shoulders. They are also longer.
More from A-Z Animals
Key Points
- Bison and buffalo are often confused, especially in North America.
- A key difference between the two is shoulder shape and horn length.
- While Buffalo are found in Asia and Africa, Bison live in North America.
When settlers first visited the new world and witnessed bison, they thought they looked like the Cape and water buffalo from other parts of the world, so they called them buffalo, and this misnomer continues to today.
However, buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and bison (Bison bison) are two entirely different animal species. They are both part of the cow family, so what is the real difference? To begin with, bison have larger heads and shoulders, paired with much shorter horns, while buffalo have more proportionate head and shoulders, and much larger, more curved horns.
Comparing Buffalo vs Bison
| Bison | Buffalo | |
| Size | Weight: 2,200lbs -2,500lbs Height: 5ft-6ft |
Weight: 1,300lbs – 2,000lbs Height: 4ft – 4.5ft |
| Speed and Movement Type | 35 mph | 30 mph |
| Horns | – Short horns reaching 2ft | – Long horns that grow 6ft horizontally and then curl up another 2-3ft |
| Senses | – Poor eyesight as they are nearsighted – Powerful sense of smell that can locate animals more than a mile away – Great sense of hearing |
– Great sense of smell – Very good eyesight – Excellent sense of hearing |
| Defenses | – Vast body size – High speed |
– Massive body – Speed |
| Offensive Capabilities | – Trampling – Ramming with horns |
– Can trample and stomp on other creatures – Uses horns to gore enemies |
The easiest way to show the differences between these animals is to make a size comparison between the buffalo and the bison. Though water buffalo are the heaviest at nearly 2700 pounds, a typical bison is around 12 feet from head to tail, weighing in at about 2200 pounds, while a water buffalo is only about nine feet in length.
The Cape buffalo is 11 feet long but usually weighs just under a ton. Bulls from both species of bison are about six feet high, while buffalo of both types are closer to four or five feet.
Types of Bison and Buffalo
PACO COMO/Shutterstock.com
Though we will mainly focus on the American Bison and the African Buffalo, there are three species of buffalo and also three types of bison. They live in different parts of the world and have some morphological differences as a result.
Generally speaking, though, it’s clear that bison and buffalo are highly different and rather easy to tell apart when you are looking at their most noticeable differences.
We are going to start exploring the different types of buffalo by looking at their three species.
African/Cape (Syncerus caffer)
Found all over the continent of Africa, the Cape species have broad, curling horns that cover much of the tops of their heads.
Asian water (Bubalus arnee)
This animal, which closely resembles a domestic cow, save for its horns, is found primarily in India and is considered endangered.
Domestic water (Bubalus bubalis)
This smaller species is found in China and other parts of Asia.
It’s also important to look at the different types of bison that exist in the world today. Interestingly, bison are found in North America and parts of Europe.
American
This North American animal has two subspecies.
Plains (Bison bison)
These animals are found mostly on the American prairie.
Wood (Bison bison athbascae)
This species is found in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska.
European (Bison bonasus)
This species was extinct in the wild, but was bred in captivity and reintroduced across Europe in the late 20th century.
| Bison | Buffalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 2,200 to 2,500 lbs. | 1,300 to 2,000 lbs. |
| Lifespan | 15 to 20 years | 15 to 25 years |
| Habitat | Grasslands, prairies, forests | Woodland, grass pastures, marshes |
| Species | American bison in North America. European bison in Europe. |
African buffalo and water Buffalo. |
| Body | Large heads and a shoulder hump | Larger horns and no shoulder hump |
The 6 Key Differences Between Bison and Buffalo
massimofusaro/Shutterstock.com
The main physical differences between these animals are that bison are larger, heavier, and have bigger heads than buffalo. Bison also have a large shoulder hump and a shaggy fur coat that grows thick in the winter, especially around their head and neck.
Buffalo have large, pronounced horns that extend from the side of their head for several feet and then curl up, but bison have shorter, thinner horns that grow directly from the top of their head and slightly curl.
Bison are exclusively located in North America and very small parts of Eastern Europe where they were bred and released into the wild after being extinct. Buffalo live in Africa and Asia and have larger numbers in the wild compared with bison.
Bison vs Buffalo: Location
Buffalo are found in Asia and Africa. However, Bison are found in North America and Europe. That means bison deal with colder weather and need thicker fur than buffalo.
Bison vs Buffalo: Head and shoulders
Bison have massive heads and a large shoulder hump. Buffalo heads are much more proportionate to their bodies and they have no hump.
Bison vs Buffalo: Body shape
Buffalo has fairly straight backs, with necks that extend up at an angle like most quadrupeds. Because of their huge heads and large shoulder humps, bison have much larger fronts, and their backs appear to slope downward from shoulder to rump.
Bison vs Buffalo: Horns
The horn comparison must include both Asian and African buffalo, as well as bison. Bison all have short, relatively slender horns that curve out of their heads, a couple of inches above their eyes. Water buffalo have wider horns that grow sideways out of their heads before curving up, with spans that can reach up to six feet. African buffalo have very wide horns that typically cover the top of their heads and resemble massive handlebar mustaches.
Bison vs Buffalo: Fur
Buffalo has thin, sparse fur that they keep year-round. Bison have a shaggy winter coat that they shed in the summer months. The fur of these animals makes it easy to tell the two apart.
Bison vs Buffalo: Size
For the most part, bison are longer, taller, and heavier than buffalo. African buffalo are smaller in all three ways, though Asian water buffalo are actually heavier than both, coming in at nearly 3000 pounds.
These are the key differences between bison and buffalo, so it should be much easier to recognize how each creature is different from the other.
Summary: Bison vs Buffalo
| Characteristic | Buffalo | Bison |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Heavier | Longer, taller |
| Location | Asia, Africa | Europe, North America |
| Body Shape | Straight back, quadruped neck extension |
Larger front to back ratio |
| Shoulders/head | Proportionate, no hump | Massive head, shoulder hump |
| Horns | Wide, curving | Relatively slender |
| Fur | Thin | Heavy, shed in warmer months |
Up Next…
There is much to learn about the differences between different cow relatives. Check out these articles to answer more of your questions:
- Cape Buffalo vs Water Buffalo: What Are the Differences? – Is location the only difference in these animals?
- Buffalo vs Cow: What Are the Main Differences? – You may think cows and buffalo have nothing in common and, while they have their differences, you may be surprised to find their similarities!
- European Bison vs American Bison: 4 Key Differences Explained – While a major difference is in the name, other key characteristics distinguish these bison.