The confusion between “buffalo” and “bison” stems from a historical naming error. While “buffalo” is widely used in North America to refer to the massive, shaggy mammals of the plains, this term is taxonomically incorrect for the species found there. The animals native to North America and Europe are true bison, belonging to the genus Bison. The term “buffalo” should be reserved for distinct species found exclusively in the Old World, specifically Africa and Asia. These are not merely regional variations but entirely separate evolutionary groups.
Taxonomic and Geographic Distinctions
The animals known as bison are classified under the genus Bison, including the American Bison (Bison bison) and the European Bison, or wisent (Bison bonasus). These species are native to the northern temperate zones, with the American species ranging across North America and the European species found in parts of Europe. The misapplication of the name “buffalo” began with early French explorers who called the animal bœuf (ox or steer), which was corrupted into “buffalo” in English.
True buffalo belong to two different genera and are confined to other continents. The African Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) inhabits sub-Saharan Africa. The Water Buffalo (Bubalus), including both wild and domesticated varieties, is native to Asia. If the animal is encountered in the wild in North America, it is a bison.
Both groups belong to the Bovidae family but are not closely related, representing separate evolutionary paths. Bison evolved to thrive in the harsh, cold climates of the northern hemisphere, leading to distinct physical adaptations. True buffalo evolved in the tropical and sub-tropical environments of Africa and Asia, resulting in different body shapes and coat structures.
Size and Observable Physical Differences
Determining which animal is bigger depends on the specific species and the metric used. The American Bison is the largest terrestrial animal in North America, with mature bulls often weighing between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds. However, the heaviest title often goes to the Wild Asian Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee), where large bulls can exceed 2,600 pounds, making it one of the heaviest bovid species.
The American Bison, particularly the Wood Bison subspecies, is generally the tallest at the shoulder, sometimes reaching over 6 feet 5 inches at the apex of its massive hump. This distinctive hump is a key anatomical difference, formed by long dorsal spines supported by powerful muscles. This feature allows the bison to use its head as a plow to sweep snow for foraging in winter, and it gives the animal its characteristic sloped backline.
Buffalo species lack this pronounced hump, possessing a relatively straight backline that is more proportional to their hindquarters. The African Cape Buffalo, a formidable animal weighing up to 2,000 pounds, is shorter than the American Bison, typically standing about 5 feet tall at the shoulder. The Cape Buffalo’s sheer bulk and aggressive temperament define its size rather than its height.
Further visual distinction can be found in the horns and coat. Bison possess short, sharp, upward-curving horns effective for defense and sparring. True buffalo species, in contrast, feature much larger, more dramatic horns that sweep outward. The Water Buffalo’s horns can span up to six feet across, while the Cape Buffalo bull’s horns fuse in the center of its forehead to form a solid bone shield called a “boss.”
Bison also have a thick, shaggy coat, especially around the head and shoulders, and a noticeable beard, an adaptation for enduring severe cold. Buffalo have relatively thin, smooth coats better suited for their warmer, often wet, native habitats.