Bison vs. Buffalo: What Is the Difference?

The words “bison” and “buffalo” are often used interchangeably in North America, but they do not technically describe the same animals. The massive, shaggy animals found across North America, including the herds at Big Balls Ranch, are American bison.

True buffalo are native to Africa and Asia and include animals such as the African buffalo and Asian water buffalo.

Although bison and buffalo belong to the same broader animal family, they have different scientific classifications, appearances, native ranges, behaviors, and physical adaptations.

So, what is the difference between bison and buffalo? Let’s take a closer look at these remarkable animals and settle the bison vs. buffalo question.

Is It Bison or Buffalo?

In North America, the terms “bison” and “buffalo” are both commonly used to describe the American bison. That means familiar phrases such as “American buffalo,” “buffalo herd,” and “buffalo calf” usually refer to the same North American animal scientifically known as Bison bison.

However, bison is the more scientifically accurate term.

The animals found in North America belong to the genus Bison. The animals more formally recognized as true buffalo belong to different genera and are native to Africa and Asia.

The American bison is not the same animal as the African buffalo or Asian water buffalo. They are relatives within the Bovidae family, but they developed in different parts of the world and possess noticeably different physical characteristics.

A simple way to remember the distinction is:

• Bison are native to North America and Europe
• True buffalo are native to Africa and Asia

Why Do Americans Call Bison “Buffalo”?

The word “buffalo” has been used in North America for hundreds of years.

According to the National Park Service, historians believe the term may have developed from the French word boeuf, meaning beef or ox. Early European explorers and fur trappers applied familiar words to animals they encountered in North America, and “buffalo” became widely associated with the American bison.

Over time, the word became deeply embedded in American geography, history, music, language, and culture. Names such as Buffalo, New York, buffalo nickel, buffalo robe, and buffalo grass reflect how familiar the term became.

For many Indigenous peoples, “buffalo” also carries deep cultural, historical, relational, and spiritual meaning. The National Park Service notes that “buffalo” is often used within cultural contexts, while “bison” is generally preferred in scientific contexts.

For that reason, it is not always appropriate to dismiss “buffalo” as simply incorrect. The terms may be used differently depending on whether the conversation is scientific, historical, cultural, or informal.

At Big Balls Ranch, we generally use American bison or bison when describing our animals and providing educational information.

Bison vs. Buffalo at a Glance

Characteristic	American Bison	African Buffalo	Asian Water Buffalo
Scientific name	Bison bison	Syncerus caffer	Bubalus bubalis
Native range	North America	Sub-Saharan Africa	South and Southeast Asia
Animal family	Bovidae	Bovidae	Bovidae
Genus	Bison	Syncerus	Bubalus
Shoulder hump	Large, prominent hump	No prominent hump	No prominent hump
Coat	Thick, shaggy front coat	Shorter, smoother coat	Sparse, shorter coat
Head	Large and heavy	Broad but less shaggy	Longer and narrower
Horns	Shorter and curved upward	Broad, heavy horns that curve outward	Often long and crescent-shaped
Beard	Distinctive beard	No bison-like beard	No bison-like beard
Common habitat	Grasslands, plains and open country	Savannas, woodlands and grasslands	Wetlands, grasslands and agricultural areas

What Is an American Bison?

The American bison is a large grazing mammal native to North America. Its scientific name is Bison bison, and it belongs to the Bovidae family, which also includes cattle, goats, sheep, antelope, and true buffalo.

The American bison is the largest land mammal in North America. Mature bulls can weigh approximately 2,000 pounds or more, while cows are generally smaller.

Despite their enormous size, bison are remarkably athletic. They can run up to approximately 35 miles per hour, turn quickly, jump, and swim.

American bison are easily recognized by their:

• Large shoulder humps
• Massive heads
• Thick, shaggy coats around the head and shoulders
• Distinctive beards
• Relatively short, curved horns
• Smaller hindquarters
• Dark brown coloring
• Heavy forequarters

The large hump is supported by powerful muscles that help the animal move its enormous head. This physical adaptation is especially useful when bison use their heads to move through dense vegetation or sweep snow aside while searching for grass.

Are There Different Types of American Bison?

There are two generally recognized subspecies of American bison:

• Plains bison: Bison bison bison
• Wood bison: Bison bison athabascae

Plains bison historically occupied grasslands and open plains across much of North America. Wood bison developed in northern forests and are generally taller and heavier, with physical differences in their humps, coats, and body shapes.

There is also a separate species known as the European bison or wisent, scientifically classified as Bison bonasus. This means the bison genus is represented in both North America and Europe.

The bison at Big Balls Ranch are American bison.

What Is an African Buffalo?

The African buffalo is a large wild bovine native to sub-Saharan Africa. Its scientific name is Syncerus caffer.

Several recognized forms or subspecies of African buffalo live across different habitats. The Cape buffalo is among the largest and most familiar.

Unlike the American bison, an African buffalo does not have a prominent shoulder hump or thick, shaggy coat. Its body is more evenly proportioned, and its hair is generally shorter and smoother.

African buffalo are often recognized by their:

• Broad chests
• Heavy bodies
• Large ears
• Shorter coats
• Lack of a pronounced shoulder hump
• Wide horns that extend outward before curving
• Thick horn bases in mature males

On a mature Cape buffalo bull, the bases of the horns may grow together across the forehead to form a heavy protective structure called a boss. This horn formation looks dramatically different from the shorter, upward-curving horns of an American bison.

African buffalo are wild animals and have never been domesticated on the same scale as Asian water buffalo.

What Is an Asian Water Buffalo?

The domestic water buffalo is scientifically classified as Bubalus bubalis and is historically associated with South and Southeast Asia.

Water buffalo have played an important role in agriculture for thousands of years. Their strength and ability to work in wet environments have made them valuable for pulling equipment, working rice fields, transporting materials, and producing milk and meat.

Asian water buffalo generally have:

• Long or crescent-shaped horns
• Broad hooves
• Relatively sparse coats
• Long bodies
• Smaller or absent shoulder humps
• Heads that are narrower than those of bison
• An affinity for water and muddy environments

Water buffalo often enter water or mud to cool themselves because they have fewer sweat glands than some other livestock species. Their wide hooves also help them travel across soft and waterlogged ground.

The wild Asian water buffalo is classified separately as Bubalus arnee and is considered the likely ancestor of the domestic water buffalo.

The Biggest Physical Differences Between Bison and Buffalo

Even if you do not know an animal’s scientific classification or native range, several physical features can help you identify whether you are looking at a bison or buffalo.

1. Look for the Shoulder Hump

The most noticeable difference between bison and buffalo is the bison’s prominent shoulder hump.

American bison have powerful, muscular forequarters that rise above their hindquarters. Neither African buffalo nor Asian water buffalo has the same distinctive hump.

2. Examine the Coat

Bison have thick, shaggy hair concentrated around the head, shoulders, and front legs. Their coats help protect them from the cold conditions found across parts of North America.

Buffalo generally have shorter and smoother coats. Asian water buffalo often have relatively sparse hair, while African buffalo possess short coats suited to warmer environments.

3. Compare the Head and Beard

American bison have massive heads, broad foreheads, and recognizable beards.

True buffalo do not possess the same shaggy beard. Their heads and faces generally appear smoother and less heavily covered in hair.

4. Look at the Horns

Both male and female American bison have horns. Their horns are relatively short and curve outward and upward.

African buffalo horns are typically broader and extend farther outward. Mature Cape buffalo bulls may have a thick horn boss across the forehead.

Asian water buffalo often have much longer horns that sweep outward in a broad crescent shape.

5. Consider the Body Shape

A bison’s large forequarters, high shoulders, and smaller hindquarters create a front-heavy appearance.

Buffalo generally have more evenly proportioned bodies without the dramatic difference between the shoulders and hips.

Are Bison and Buffalo Closely Related?

Bison and buffalo share the same animal family, Bovidae, but they belong to different genera.

Their simplified scientific classifications are:

American Bison

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Artiodactyla
• Family: Bovidae
• Genus: Bison
• Species: Bison bison

African Buffalo

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Artiodactyla
• Family: Bovidae
• Genus: Syncerus
• Species: Syncerus caffer

Domestic Asian Water Buffalo

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Artiodactyla
• Family: Bovidae
• Genus: Bubalus
• Species: Bubalus bubalis

They are related through the Bovidae family, but an American bison is not simply a different regional variety of African or Asian buffalo.

Is a Bison a Cow?

Bison belong to the bovine family, but they are not domestic cattle.

The word “cow” can also describe an adult female bison. An adult male bison is called a bull, and a young bison is called a calf. However, referring to a female bison as a cow does not mean the species is the same as domestic cattle.

Bison retain powerful natural instincts and must be handled differently from most conventional livestock. Familiarity with people, vehicles, or ranch routines does not make a bison domesticated or predictable.

Bison vs. Buffalo: Which Animal Is Larger?

Size varies by species, subspecies, sex, age, genetics, and individual animal.

American bison are among the largest members of the Bovidae family and hold the distinction of being North America’s largest land mammal. Mature bison bulls can weigh approximately 2,000 pounds, with some individuals growing even larger.

African buffalo and Asian water buffalo can also reach impressive sizes, but their body shapes are different. The massive head, shoulder hump, thick coat, and powerful forequarters of the American bison can make it appear especially imposing.

At Big Balls Ranch, Big Boy is one of the most impressive mature bulls in our herd, weighing approximately 2,300 pounds.

Do Bison and Buffalo Behave the Same Way?

Bison and buffalo are all social bovines, but their behavior reflects their habitats, social structures, and relationships with people.

American bison commonly live in groups, although herd composition changes throughout the year. Cows, calves, yearlings, and younger animals may remain together, while mature bulls sometimes travel alone or in smaller groups.

Bison communicate using:

• Grunts
• Snorts
• Bellows
• Body position
• Head movement
• Tail position
• Physical displays
• Scent

African buffalo also form social herds, while domestic water buffalo have been managed alongside people for generations.

Regardless of species, all are large and powerful animals requiring space, experience, and respect.

Fascinating American Bison Facts

Now that we have explained the difference between bison and buffalo, here are several additional American bison facts:

• The American bison is North America’s largest land mammal.
• Mature bulls may weigh approximately 2,000 pounds or more.
• Bison can run up to approximately 35 miles per hour.
• Both male and female bison grow horns.
• Baby bison are commonly called calves.
• Young calves are sometimes nicknamed “red dogs” because of their reddish-orange coats.
• Bison roll in dirt in a behavior called wallowing.
• Their shoulder humps are supported by powerful muscles.
• Bison communicate through sounds, movement, posture, and scent.
• Bison have excellent hearing and a strong sense of smell.
• A calm-looking bison can still move or react very quickly.
• The American bison became the national mammal of the United States in 2016.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bison vs. Buffalo

Is a bison a buffalo?

Scientifically, no. American bison belong to the genus Bison, while African and Asian buffalo belong to other genera. However, “buffalo” remains a widely accepted common name for the American bison in North America.

What is the main difference between bison and buffalo?

Bison have prominent shoulder humps, massive heads, beards, and thick, shaggy coats. True buffalo generally lack the large hump and heavy front coat. They also have differently shaped horns and are native to Africa and Asia rather than North America.

Are there buffalo in America?

The animals historically called buffalo in North America are American bison. True buffalo are native to Africa and Asia, although domesticated water buffalo may be kept in other parts of the world.

Why are American bison called buffalo?

The name has been used for hundreds of years and may have developed from the French word boeuf. “Buffalo” remains common in historical, cultural, Indigenous, and informal contexts.

Is “buffalo” an incorrect word?

Not necessarily. “Bison” is the more scientifically accurate name for the North American species, but “buffalo” is widely used and carries important historical and cultural meaning.

Are bison and buffalo related to cattle?

Yes. Bison, buffalo, and domestic cattle all belong to the Bovidae family. However, they are distinct animals with different scientific classifications.

Do both male and female bison have horns?

Yes. Both bison bulls and cows have horns, although their horn shapes and overall builds can help experienced observers distinguish between them.

Are bison dangerous?

Bison are extremely powerful and can react quickly. They should always be given appropriate space and treated with respect. Visitors at Big Balls Ranch must remain with their guide and follow all ranch safety instructions.

Meet the American Bison at Big Balls Ranch

Reading about the difference between bison and buffalo is fascinating, but nothing compares to seeing an American bison in person.

Big Balls Ranch is a family-owned bison ranch located in Cleveland, South Carolina. As the largest bison ranch in the state, we are honored to care for these incredible animals and help others understand their behavior, history, strength, and significance.

Every member of our herd has a personality and place within its social group. Some are curious and confident, while others prefer to observe from a distance. Our cows care closely for their calves, our young bison bring energy to the pasture, and our mature bulls possess an unforgettable presence.

Through education and responsible ranching, we hope to create a deeper appreciation for the American bison and the responsibility that comes with raising them.

Meet the Bison of Big Balls Ranch

Big Balls Ranch: Boldly Raising Bison. Passionately Protecting a Legacy.