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Have you Ever Seen a Buffalo?
If you live in America and think you have seen a buffalo, most likely, it was not a buffalo but instead a bison. Buffalo are not native to North America. Bison are often referred to as American Buffalo however, they are not buffalo at all. Early settlers called the American bison, “bufello” due to some similarities between it and the well-known buffalo species. True buffalo are African Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer). The closest living relative of the African Cape Buffalo is the Asian Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalus).
Classification
The tribe Bovini includes cattle, bison, and buffalo. True buffalo are classified as the subtribe Bubalina, whereas American Bison (Bison bison) and European Bison (Bison bonasus) are Bovina. Both Bubalina and Bovina are separate subtribes within the Bovidae family.
Size Difference
The largest land mammals in North America, bison are majestic animals. Standing 6 feet tall at the shoulder, adult males weigh about 2000 lbs. and females 1000 lbs. Cape Buffalo are slightly smaller and water buffalo slightly larger than bison. All live in groups called herds. Mothers with their offspring and male groups. Water buffalo herds include 10-30. Bison and Cape Buffalo herds are made up of tens to thousands. They are all extremely protective of their young.
Horns
Buffalo have heads similar to cattle. Fully grown African Cape bulls have large upward sweeping horns up to 3 feet wide meeting in the middle to form a bony shield or helmet called a boss. The females do not develop the boss and have smaller upward-pointing horns. Asian water buffalo have similar-shaped horns and can measure up to 6 feet wide in both males and females. Bison have larger heads and shorter sharper horns than buffalo. They are more agile, unpredictable, and aggressive than buffalo.
Coat
Bison survive and thrive in harsh conditions. They have beards and thick shaggy fur that helps them endure extreme cold. African cape buffalo live in warmer climates and have a smooth coat with short thin hair. Bison have a larger head and a prominent hump near their shoulders which helps them plow through snowstorms.
Amazing Instincts
Unlike cattle, who huddle together and attempt to run away, both Bison and Buffalo run directly into storms that come their way. Instinct tells them this will get them through more quickly with less suffering. Bison and Cape Buffalo can run nearly 40 mph. Not only does instinct help them face a storm head-on but their natural drive to get through faster helps with endurance. They can continue running at high speeds for several hours.
Bison are my spirit animal.
Bison are tough, confident, and thrive in harsh conditions. Everything I strive to be in difficult situations. Being more scrappy than true buffalo, bison, “American buffalo” are my spirit animal. Troubles and challenging times come and go in life, why not choose to face them head-on and learn to thrive in our own harsh conditions with confidence?
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