Bison vs. African Buffalo: A Comparison of Two Iconic Herbivores

The great plains of North America and the vast savannas of Africa are home to two of the mightiest grazers on earth: bison and African buffalo.

Bison are native to North America and have a thick, shaggy coat and a hump on their shoulders, while African Buffalo are found in sub-Saharan Africa and have a leaner build and curved horns.

Bison vs. African Buffalo

Bison	African Buffalo
Bison are larger and heavier than African Buffalo. They have a hump on their shoulders and a thick, shaggy coat that varies in color from dark brown to reddish-brown.	African Buffalo are smaller than bison with a leaner build. They have a distinctive, curved horn shape and a thin, sparse coat that is usually black or dark brown.
They are native to North America and can be found in grasslands, prairies, and forests. They are often associated with the Great Plains of the United States.	They are found in sub-Saharan Africa and can be found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, forests, and savannas.
Bison are social animals and live in herds, which are led by a dominant male known as a bull. Females and their offspring also form subgroups within the herd.	African Buffalo are also social animals and live in herds, which can range from a few individuals to several hundred. They are also led by a dominant male.
They are herbivores and primarily eat grasses, sedges, and other vegetation. They are known to graze for long periods of time and can eat up to 30 pounds of food per day.	They are also herbivores and primarily eat grasses and other vegetation. They are known to travel long distances in search of food during the dry season.
Bison were once hunted to near extinction in the late 1800s but have since rebounded. They are currently classified as a species of “Least Concern” by the IUCN.	African Buffalo are currently classified as a species of “Least Concern” by the IUCN, but their populations are declining due to habitat loss and hunting.
They Have played an important role in Native American culture for centuries and are considered a symbol of strength, resilience, and abundance. They also hold cultural significance for many non-Native American groups.	They have been depicted in African art and folklore for centuries and are often associated with strength, courage, and the wildness of Africa. They also have a long history of being hunted for sport and food.

What is Bison?

Bison is a large, herbivorous mammal that is native to North America. Also known as American buffalo, it is a member of the Bovidae family and is characterized by its massive head, hump on the shoulders, and shaggy coat, which varies in color from dark brown to reddish-brown.

Bison were once hunted to near extinction in the late 1800s but have since rebounded and are now primarily found in national parks and reserves. They are important ecological and cultural symbols in North America.

What is African Buffalo?

African Buffalo, also known as Cape Buffalo, is a large, herbivorous mammal that is found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a member of the Bovidae family and is known for its massive, curved horns and dark, shaggy coat.

African Buffalo live in herds and can be found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, forests, and savannas. They are an important ecological and cultural symbol in Africa and are often depicted in African art and folklore.

Similarities between Bison and African Buffalo

Both bison and African buffalo have short, dark fur that helps to protect them from the elements. They are both herbivores that graze on grasses and other plants.
Both are very large animals, with males weighing in at over a ton.
African buffalo are much more fierce and aggressive than bison, and they form tighter herds with well-defined social structures.
Bison also have larger horns, while African buffalo have longer, curved horns.
Lastly, African buffalo live in Africa while bison are found in North America.

Physical characteristics of each animal

Bison:

The American bison is the largest land animal in North America. Adult bulls weigh between 1,000 and 2,200 pounds, while cows weigh 800 to 1,400 pounds.
Bison are covered in short, dark brown fur with a light-colored hump on their shoulders. They have long heads with shaggy manes, and their horns can grow up to two feet long.

African buffalo:

The African buffalo is the largest member of the cattle family. They weigh between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds and stand six feet tall at the shoulder. Buffalo are covered in short, reddish-brown fur.
They have wide heads with large horns that curve back from their skulls.

Habitat and diet comparison

Bison are found in North America, while African buffalo are found in Africa. Bison live in grasslands, while African buffalo live in forests and savannas.
Bison are grazers, eating mostly grasses. African buffalo are also grazers, but they also eat some browse (leaves and twigs). Both bison and African buffalo consume large quantities of plants each day.
African buffalo typically have a higher protein diet than bison. This is due to the fact that they eat more browse than bison. The extra protein helps them grow larger and thicker horns.

Threats facing the species

Habitat loss is a major threat to the African buffalo. Much of the African Savannah has been converted to farmland, leaving less and less space for wildlife. This has led to a decline in the population of many species, including the African buffalo.

Hunting is another major threat to the African buffalo. The meat of the buffalo is prized by many hunters, and the horns are used for making traditional African knives. As a result, Buffalo are often killed for their meat or horns, which has led to a decline in their population.

Competition from other grazers is also a threat to the African buffalo. Many farmers prefer to graze their livestock on grasslands that are also home to the buffalo.

Key differences between Bison and African Buffalo

Bison is native to North America while African buffalo are native to Africa. Bison also tend to be slightly larger than African buffalo, with bulls averaging around 2,000 pounds compared to the 1,500-pound average weight of an African buffalo bull.
African buffalo also have a few physical adaptations that set them apart from bison. Their horns, for instance, grow outward and then curve back toward the head, whereas bison horns only grow outward.
African buffalo have much tougher skin than bison, which helps protect them from the numerous predators they face in the wild.

More Differences:

Conclusion

Bison are native to North America, while African Buffalo are found in sub-Saharan Africa. Both species play important ecological and cultural roles in their respective regions, and their populations are generally stable, although African Buffalo face threats such as habitat loss and hunting.