While the terms “bison” and “buffalo” are often used interchangeably, particularly in North America, they refer to distinct animals within the Bovidae family. These large bovines share some superficial similarities, leading to common confusion, but they possess clear biological differences in their physical characteristics, native habitats, and evolutionary lineages. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why the terms, despite their widespread interusage, are not scientifically synonymous.
Defining Characteristics
Bison and buffalo exhibit several noticeable physical differences. Bison, both American (Bison bison) and European (Bison bonasus), are distinguished by a large shoulder hump, absent in buffalo. Composed of muscle and reinforced vertebrae, this hump enables bison to clear snow when foraging. Bison also have large, shaggy heads and thick, insulating coats, especially around the shoulders and neck, often forming a beard, which they shed in spring.
Buffalo, in contrast, have smaller heads and thinner coats. Their horns also differ: bison have shorter, sharper horns that curve upward and inward. African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) have large, ridged horns that often grow outwards, then curve downward and up, sometimes fusing at the base in older males to form a “boss.” Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) have long, crescent-shaped horns that sweep backward and outward. Overall, American bison tend to be stockier in the front with heavy forequarters, while buffalo have a more uniform build from front to back.
Global Habitats and Species
Native geographic ranges differentiate bison and buffalo species. Bison are indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere, with two extant species: the American bison and the European bison, also known as wisent. American bison are found exclusively in North America, historically roaming vast grasslands. Today, their populations are primarily in protected areas across the western United States and Canada. European bison, or wisent, are native to parts of Europe, preferring temperate forests and grasslands.
Conversely, true buffalo species are native to Africa and Asia. The African buffalo, including the Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), inhabits a wide array of environments across sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from dense forests to open plains, always near a water source. Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are found in Asia, particularly in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, where they prefer wetlands, swamps, and forests. While domesticated water buffalo are now found globally, their wild ancestors remain concentrated in these Asian regions.
The Naming Confusion
The interchangeable use of “bison” and “buffalo,” particularly for the North American animal, stems from historical misidentification. Early European settlers in North America mistakenly called American bison “buffalo” due to a superficial resemblance to true buffalo species they knew from the Old World. The French word “boeuf” (ox or beef) is believed to be the origin of “buffalo” as applied to American bison by French fur trappers in the early 1600s.
This misnomer became deeply embedded in American English and culture. The term “buffalo” appears in place names like Buffalo, New York, and in cultural references such as “Buffalo Bill Cody” and the song “Home on the Range.” Despite this common usage, “bison” remains the scientifically accurate term for the large, shaggy animals native to North America. While both terms are widely understood, the distinction highlights a historical linguistic persistence over biological accuracy.