The term "buffalo" is often used interchangeably with "bison," leading to some confusion. However, there are distinct differences between the two animals.
True buffalo species, such as the African buffalo and the water buffalo, belong to the Bovidae family. Bison, on the other hand, are a distinct species belonging to the Bovidae family, but they are classified under the subfamily Bovinae and the genus Bison.
The History of the "Buffalo"
The confusion likely arises from historical misinterpretations by early European settlers in North America. Early 1600's French fur trappers referred to American bison as "boeuf". The word "bœuf" in French specifically refers to cattle or beef, which are domesticated bovines raised for meat production. While bison meat can be consumed and is sometimes referred to as "bœuf de bison" in French, the term "bison" is used to distinguish the species from domestic cattle or beef. However, early French trappers that first encountered the bison would quickly refer to them as "boeuf" as that was the nickname also given to true buffalo of Africa and Asia.
Eventually, Europeans who encountered the American bison would go on to refer to them as "buffalo" due to their superficial resemblance to the true buffalo species they were familiar with. This misnomer likely persisted and became entrenched in English and other languages spoken by European settlers. So, the French did not specifically name the American bison "buffalo" – rather, the misidentification likely occurred due to similarities with true buffalo species and the adoption of the term "buffalo" by early European settlers in North America.
Over time, this colloquial usage persisted, and the term "buffalo" became entrenched in the English language to describe American bison. Today, while it's more accurate to refer to them as "bison," the term "buffalo" is still commonly used in everyday language, particularly in North America.
Now that we've discussed the history, let's talk about the differences between the two Bovinae.
Bison vs Buffalo
There are two species of bison - the all too familiar American bison (Bison bison) and the European wood bison (Bison bonasus) or "wisent" (shocking, I know - Europe has bison!). Physically, bison tend to have a very large shoulder hump and are known for their iconic shaggy thick coats and short, round curved horns as well as having massive heads and a distinct beard. American bison are typically larger than buffalo, with males weighing up to 2,000 pounds (900kg) and with a height of up to 6 feet (1.8m) tall at their shoulders.
Similarly, there are only two species of buffalo in the world. The African or otherwise known as the Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Buffalo have much smaller shoulder humps or even no shoulders at all. They have little to no coat compared to a bison and their horns although short, are much straighter. African buffalo can weigh up to 1,500 pounds (680kg) and stand up to 5 feet tall at the shoulder. Asian buffalo on the other hand, tend to be generally smaller.
American bison, as their names suggest, are found in North America and primarily roam grasslands and prairies. European bison can be found in the forests of Europe. African buffalos are found in sub-Saharan African, in savannas, forests, and grasslands. Whereas the Asian water buffalo are typically found in South and Southeast Asian, often near water sources.
Behaviorally, both bison and buffalo can be dangerous. Bison are generally more aggressive and much more unpredictable compared to their buffalo counterparts. African buffalo can be known to take up defensive stands against other apex predators but are generally known to be less aggressive to humans. Asian water buffalo are the least aggressive from the group and are actually domesticated; used for labor and milk production!
So, there you have it! The great bison vs. buffalo debate has finally been settled. Next time you're out on the prairie and spot a shaggy, hump-backed prehistoric cow, you can confidently declare, "Behold, a bison!" And if you find yourself face-to-face with a slightly less hairy, straighter-horned creature in Africa or Asia, you can proudly proclaim, "Behold, the majestic buffalo!". You're welcome.
Bonus points! If you really want to impress your friends with your newfound knowledge, casually mention that the scientific name for the American bison is Bison bison. That's right, it's so nice, they named it twice!
So, whether you're a fan of the burly bison or the bold buffalo, remember that these incredible creatures are an important part of our world's biodiversity. And who knows, maybe one day you'll find yourself on a thrilling safari, snapping photos of African buffalo, or on a rugged prairie, marveling at the mighty American bison. Just remember to keep a safe distance – after all, they are wild animals, not oversized plush toys!
Now that you're armed with this fascinating bison and buffalo knowledge, go forth and share your wisdom with the world. And if anyone tries to argue with you about the difference between these two magnificent Bovinae, just meet their gaze and say with confidence, "Hey, don't buffalo me with your bison misinformation!"
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