On National Bison Day, let’s dive into the differences between a bison and a buffalo. Both buffalo and bison are members of the Bovidae family, and American settlers dubbed the large mammals they encountered in North America “bufello” because they resembled two previously known species, African cape buffalo and Asian water buffalo. One easy way to tell them apart? Besides a small related group in Europe, bison only live in North America. They’re characterized by their large shoulder hump and massive head. Buffalo, on the other hand, have a flat back and longer horns with pronounced arches. So next time you’re singing “Home on Range,” feel free to switch up the lyrics.
