Key points
- It is most common in North America to be confused with a bison and a buffalo.
- The shape of their shoulders and the length of their horns are the key difference. Another important difference is the presence of a hump.
- True buffalo are found in Asia and Africa, while bison live in North America.
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It is not very unusual to be confused between a bison and a buffalo, since both are large, horned, ox-like animals from the Bovidae family.
What adds more confusion is that, despite being a misnomer, buffalo is still a common term used to refer to the American bison in North America.
However, it is not that difficult to distinguish them. You can focus on the three H’s: home, hump and horns, and problem solved! You are now a Buffalo and Bison genius.
Although before we declare that, let’s dig a little deeper and find out what makes these ox-like creatures so different.
What is a bison?
A bison is a large wild animal that looks a lot like a cow, only with a larger head and hairy shoulders.
They can be seen roaming around North America. Although it is known as buffalo in the United States and Canada, it is only distantly related to the true buffalo. They are known as the large bovines of the Bison genus and in Greek as “wild ox”.
What is a buffalo?
Bubalina, the subtribe of wild cattle that includes the various species of true buffalo, includes the African buffalo, the anoas, and the wild water buffalo (including the domesticated variant of the water buffalo).
They can be seen grazing or swimming. In the water bodies of sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Domestic and wild populations have also been introduced in Europe, America and Australia. These bubalinans maintain an extensive fossil record found in much of Afro-Eurasia where their remains are discovered.
Are bison and buffalo the same?
No, because although they are sometimes called buffalos, bison are not members of the Bubalina, but are instead classified in the Bovine subtribe.
Types of bison and buffalo
There are two types of bison:
1. The American Bison
This North American animal has two subspecies, namely:
- Plains (Bison bison): Found primarily on American grasslands.
- Wood Bison: Found in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska.
2. The European (bonasus bison)
This species became extinct in the wild, but was bred in captivity and reintroduced throughout Europe at the end of the 20th century.
and two forms of buffalo:
1. Water buffalo:
- Asian Water (Bubalus arnee): Resembling a domestic cow, found mainly in India and considered endangered.
- Domestic water (Bubalus bubalis) – Found in China and other parts of Asia.
2. African/Cape (Syncerus caffer): A large, dangerous creature found in Africa with wide, curly horns that cover much of the top of the head.
Difference between buffalo and bison
|
CHARACTERISTICS |
BISON |
BUFFALO |
|---|---|---|
|
Size |
2200 to 2500 pounds. |
1300 to 2000 pounds. |
|
Life expectancy |
15 to 20 years |
15 to 25 years |
|
Habitat |
Grasslands, meadows, forests. |
Forests, pastures, marshes. |
|
Species |
American bison in North America. |
African buffalo and water buffalo. |
|
Body |
Large heads and hump on the shoulders. |
Larger horns and no hump on the shoulders. |
|
Hair |
Heavy, comes off in the warmer months. |
Slim |
|
Type of speed and movement |
35 mph |
30 mph |
|
Height |
5ft-6ft |
4 feet – 4.5 feet |
|
Senses |
– Poor eyesight since they are nearsighted. – Powerful sense of smell that can locate animals more than a mile away. – Great sense of hearing |
– Great sense of smell – Really nice view – Excellent sense of hearing |
|
Defenses |
– Large body size – High speed |
– Massive body – Speed |
|
Offensive capabilities |
– Trample – Horned charge |
– Can trample and trample other creatures. – Use horns to gore enemies. |
|
Location |
Europe, North America |
Asia, Africa |
However, generally speaking, it is clear that bison and buffalo are very different and quite easy to tell apart when looking at their most notable differences.
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Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: ptivs2.edu.vn