Are Buffalo and Bison the Same Animals? / myLot

Photo credit: Jack Dykinga/U.S. Department of Agriculture

United States

August 14, 2022 11:23am CST

I've been seeing a lot of news stories/videos online recently about the bison at Yellowstone National Park and elsewhere. Some tourists seem to think they can safely get near the majestic beasts, to take photos, pat them, etc. NOT a good idea! I've always thought that they are unusual but beautiful animals. I mistakenly thought the terms 'buffalo' and 'bison' could be used interchangeably for the same creatures. I found a short, very informative article that explains the differences. Do you like bison and/or buffalo? Did you realize that they are two different animals?

https://www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-buffalo-and-bison

www.britannica.com

https://www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-buffalo-and-bison

8 people like this

8 responses

Nocturnal Writer

@Nakitakona (56486)

• Philippines

20 Aug 22

They do classified in one family as bovine but not the same though they're used interchangeably.

1 person likes this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

20 Aug 22

Thanks for explaining @Nakitakona.

1 person likes this

Nocturnal Writer

@Nakitakona (56486)

• Philippines

23 Aug 22

@BloggerDi You're welcome.

1 person likes this

dhia eddine

@didinedhia (8470)

• Algeria

14 Aug 22

i think they r deffirent but i never saw them infront on me

1 person likes this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

14 Aug 22

Thank you @didinedhia. I've only seen some at a distance, behind a fence.

1 person likes this

dhia eddine

@didinedhia (8470)

• Algeria

15 Aug 22

@BloggerDi thats cool

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (93739)

• United States

14 Aug 22

I knew they were different, but did know the extent of how different.

1 person likes this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

15 Aug 22

Thank you for commenting @AmbiePam.

1 person likes this

Quilter

@fatragu (677)

• United States

14 Aug 22

They are two different animals but most of us, looking at them, couldn't tell you which was which. Like crocodile and alligator. I know that they are different but couldn't tell you which was which.

1 person likes this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

14 Aug 22

Thanks @fatragu. Yes, croc vs alligator is a similar situation! I appreciated "the 3 H's" mentioned in the video I shared. A bison is known for its home, hump and horns. This will help me remember the differences.

RasmaSandra

@RasmaSandra (80635)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

14 Aug 22

I have written about them and know there are differences but either way they are both very majestic and impressive looking animals,

1 person likes this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

14 Aug 22

Thanks very much @RasmaSandra. I agree and I'm somewhat fascinated by them.

1 person likes this

solxee

@sol_cee (38219)

• Philippines

15 Aug 22

Our national animal is from the water-buffalo family

1 person likes this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

15 Aug 22

Thanks @sol_cee. I learned something new from you!

Uncle Jay, Finding More Value in Your Machine

@mythociate (21432)

• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

14 Aug 22

The American bison is the Official State Mammal of Oklahoma. It seems that they CALL the American bison "a buffalo." (I looked up 'Oklahoma's state animal' to be sure, and 'this' was one of the entries that came up.)

https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-mammal/buffalo

statesymbolsusa.org

https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-mammal/buffalo

1 person likes this

Diana Bauder

@BloggerDi (3113)

• United States

14 Aug 22

Thanks a lot for your comments and the link @mythociate. Ha, the State of Oklahoma made the boo-boo publicly. Thus the confusion continues.