Bison vs Buffalo Comparison

Water buffalo looking at you.
African Buffalo. Image from Pixabay.com.
Facial image of bison.
A large male Bison Bison lying down.
Buffalo side view.
African buffalo profile. Image from Pixabay.com.
Bison in profile.
Profile of a bison.

Buffalo

Characteristics
  • The horn resembles a large handlebar mustache, thick, helmet-like base, curls down then up
  • No hump
  • No beard
  • Short light fur

Bison

Characteristics
  • Horns shorter, they curve upward into a sharp point
  • Female's horn narrower than males
  • Have large hump on shoulders
  • Has beard
  • Has a winter and summer fur coat
  • Bigger head than buffalo

Bison and buffalo are members of the Bovidae family, which also includes the Yak, Zebu, and cattle. The Old-World buffalo consists of the Cape buffalo and the water buffalo.

Through exhaustive research, we know there are two species of bison—one in North America and one in Europe. The North American bison has two subspecies. The plains bison is in America, and the wood bison is in Canada.

The European bison is found in Poland, Belarus, and the Bialowieza Forest. The 2024 population is estimated to be around 12,209 in the wild.

Animal Comparison Info

Canines of Yellowstone →