What is the difference between buffalo and water buffalo

Understanding the buffalo The buffalo falls into two main categories and these are the Water Buffalo and the Cape Buffalo. The Cape Buffalo is found in the grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa and it is also called "Syncerus caffer". These animals can be found in West Africa and along the plains of southern and eastern Africa. Some of them have been domesticated for years and are valued for milk, meat, leather, and as work animals. It is also possible to find the Cape buffalo in the wild.

These animals are dangerous and can gore people with their sharp horns. Difference between buffalo and bison As stated already both animals are bovids but there are differences in physical appearance.

Generally, the buffalo has a larger body than the bison. Bison have a large shoulder hump of pure muscle and a massive head that makes their hindquarters look smaller than their fronts. Both the Cape buffalo and water buffalo have smaller heads and shoulders in proportion to the rest of their bodies, giving them a more symmetrical appearance.

Both male and female Cape buffalo have large horns in the shape of a handlebar mustache that sweep up on the ends and can grow up to three or more feet across on males. The water buffalo trumps them all with its majestic horns that can have a six-foot span in both sexes.

Bison horns of both sexes average around two feet. Bison have a thick, shaggy coat that keeps them warm in the harsh winter weather of the Great Plains, which they shed in the hot summer months. Bison would fit right in at a Williamsburg coffee shop or hip East Village bar with their long, unkempt beard. Buffalo, however, might feel more comfortable in a Midtown office with a strict facial hair policy; they lack a beard of any sort. The American bison wins in the length department: Males, called bulls, can grow up to The Cape buffalo comes in second in length, at around 11 feet and weighs in at a little less than 2,00o pounds.

The water buffalo can grow up to nine feet and weigh as much as 2, pounds, making it the heavyweight champion. Its tail is also longer than that of a bison, up to 33 inches compared with 26 inches for the bison. Check out all our stories from bisonweek! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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Londolozi Live Membership overview We invite you to sign up for a Londolozi Live account and join our growing digital family united by our respect for nature and love of the wild. Back Sign up. Callum Gowar November 17, A large Cape buffalo bull…. About the Author. Callum Gowar Field Guide P pts. Recommended Reading Wildlife. Dave Mills Member. Thanks, Callum. Good information, well-written. Iglooillusion Member. Edouard Paiva Member.

Thanks a lot Callum Gowar for the good information. Judy Guffey Member. Welcome back! Good to read this blog from you. Jill Larone Member. Lucas Buxton Member. Dane Member. Thanks that will be so helpful for me and my friends. I new water buffalo are stronger. Biswapriya Purkayastha Member. Andrew Member. Vincent Fink Explorer. P pts. James Tyrrell Alumni. Rob Barnes Explorer. And strongly reprimand Callum. Connect with Londolozi. Follow Us. Sign up for our Newsletters Daily Story.

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They have certain minor physical differences, but all conform to a similar robust structure and temperament. The swamp buffalo is more common in the Indian subcontinent and has even been dispersed into Europe. The River water buffalo is found mainly further East in China dn surrounding countries. Unlike buffaloes, the American bison Bison bison and the European bison Bison bonasus have a massive head and a large shoulder hump.

These are what give them their burly appearance. Bison also have a hairy fur coat on their body which thickens in winter to offer protection in harsh environments. They also have a beard. Buffaloes, on the other hand, neither have thick fur nor a beard.

In general, bison are bigger than buffaloes. An American bison is about 1. European bison grow to around 1. The Cape buffalo is about 1. Besides being bigger, bison are also heavier kg to a buffalo's maximum kg and faster. The African buffalo or Cape buffalo Syncerus caffer moves across the Savannah and grasslands of southern and eastern Africa. They have a shield on their head made from bone where the to horns are fused. It is known as a boss. With males, the horns are even more noticeable.

The Asian water buffalo Bubalus bubalis is a marsh mucking animal which has a massive set of crescent-shaped horns that grow outward and backward. Buffaloes' horns are much longer and sharper than a bison's. We often associate bison mentality with their heavy build. They can unleash aggression when cornered. They are not kept as pastoral animals for agriculture. Although they may attack in the wild, there are rekatively few attacks reported per year. Injury to humans is more likely occur due to stampedes or defensive charging than attack.

The African Cape buffalo is not as commonly kept as a pastoral animal either.