Yes, buffalo have a coat of hair, commonly referred to as fur, which is a complex biological adaptation allowing them to thrive in various climates. The composition and density of this coat vary dramatically depending on the species and its native environment. This natural covering provides remarkable insulation, demonstrating the evolutionary design of mammalian hair fibers.
Defining Buffalo and Bison
The confusion regarding the coat stems from the common interchangeability of the terms “buffalo” and “bison.” True buffalo, such as the African Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the Asian Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), inhabit warmer climates. Their coats are short, smooth, and sparse, facilitating cooling and thermal dissipation in tropical environments.
Conversely, the animal most people in North America refer to as a “buffalo” is the American Bison (Bison bison), native to the cold plains. The bison’s coat is dramatically different, characterized by its shaggy, dense texture and significant length, especially over the head, neck, and shoulders. This thick coat is a direct adaptation to withstand the severe temperature swings and blizzards of the Great Plains. The two groups are classified separately, with bison living in North America and parts of Europe, while true buffalo are found exclusively in Africa and Asia.
The Biological Purpose of the Coat
The American Bison’s coat is a highly specialized, two-layered system designed for maximum thermal efficiency. The outer layer consists of long, coarse guard hairs that provide physical protection from rain, snow, and external abrasions. These guard hairs are often hollow, which adds insulation by trapping air and contributing to the coat’s thermal resistance.
Beneath this protective layer lies the downy undercoat, the primary source of the animal’s insulation. This fine, woolly fiber is exceptionally dense and soft, with individual fibers measuring 8 to 19 microns in diameter. This micron count is similar to high-grade cashmere, making it effective at trapping air close to the animal’s skin.
The hair is composed primarily of keratin, a structural, fibrous protein also found in horns and hooves. The dense, thick coat is concentrated mostly on the bison’s front half, especially the head and shoulders. This allows the animal to face into blizzards and plow snow to reach forage without losing excessive body heat.
Conversely, the hair on the bison’s hindquarters is shorter and less dense. This variation in coat length and density helps the animal regulate its temperature during warmer months or intense physical exertion.
Seasonal Molting and Coat Changes
The bison’s coat undergoes a dramatic transformation each year through molting, synchronized with the change in seasons. As spring arrives and temperatures rise, the dense, insulating winter undercoat begins to shed. This annual loss is necessary to prevent the animal from overheating during the summer.
The shedding process typically begins in late spring, leaving the animals with a shaggy, patchy appearance as the thick woolly hair comes off in large clumps. Bison actively assist this process by rubbing their bodies vigorously against trees, rocks, or anything else solid they can find. They also engage in wallowing, rolling around in dust or mud, which helps loosen the old hair and provides temporary relief from insects.
By the end of summer, the bison’s coat is much shorter and sleeker, a lighter summer attire that is dark brown or light brown in color. The growth of the new, heavy winter coat begins in the fall as the days shorten and the weather cools. This new growth ensures the bison is fully protected with its thick, shaggy coat before the onset of the harsh winter months. This cyclical change prepares the animal to withstand temperatures that can drop to negative forty degrees.