Carol DM
I posted earlier about having new neighbors (buffalo/bison). I was asked by Norman Darlington if buffalo and bison are the same animal. The research was surprising to me. And I was able to get closer to them today with my camera. We have lots of sunshine. But I did find out they are camera shy.
©CarolDM 2018 Photos All Rights Reserved
There are five in the field behind my house. There used to be a dairy farm, it was sold, and now they only have a few cows. When I first saw these animals, I thought they were cows, until I got closer!
The chart above, courtesy of Pixabay, lists some of the differences in the buffalo/bison species. The name Buffalo is thought to have originated from European explorers who confused the animal they found in the New World with animals they were more familiar with, the African or Asian Buffalo. When the first European settlers arrived in North America, as many as 60 million bison inhabited the continent’s grasslands. These early settlers likely saw similarities between bison, the continent’s largest land animal, and known buffalo species.
The settlers referred to the large beasts as “bison” and “buffalo” interchangeably, and the name “buffalo,” though scientifically inaccurate, stuck. Our national animal was only given the name Bison after European scientists studied the skeletons years later. Today the word Buffalo is often used for American Bison.
This photo above was a little scary as he just stood there looking at me, lowering his head. Thankfully there was a fence between us. These are massive animals.
There are two sub-species of American Bison (Bison bison). The first is the Plains Bison – originally found in huge numbers on the Great Plains. The second is the Wood Bison which lived in smaller herds on the woody edges of the Great Plains, and are now mostly found in the forests of central Canada. Bison, the North American hoofed mammals that, for many people, embody the American West, are often referred to as buffalo. But even though they are in the same family group as Old World buffalo species, the Asian water buffalo and the African cape buffalo; bison are not closely related to those species, making the common name “buffalo” misleading The mistake is understandable. Both bison and buffalo belong to the Bovidae family, which consists of more than 100 species of hoofed mammals called ungulates, including buffalo, bison, antelopes, gazelles, cattle, sheep and goats. The American bison species is found only in North America, and its closest relative, the European bison (Bison bonasus), can be found in Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan, where about 1,800 free-ranging individual bison are currently estimated to roam. But even though bison and buffalo are similarly large, cattle-like animals, there are striking physical differences that distinguish them.
The American bison, which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds has an unusually massive head and a considerable shoulder hump, both of which are covered with thick, woolly fur. The enormous, heavy muscles in the hump allow bison to use their heads as powerful snowplows in the winter, pushing aside masses of snow by swinging their heads from side to side. By comparison, the buffalo of Africa and Asia have no hump whatsoever, and their skulls are smaller than those of bison. But while they may come up short on head size, both buffalo species more than make up for that in the breadth of their impressive horns. Asian buffalo have large, crescent-shaped horns that curve upward and can span over 6 feet in length. Wild males can weigh over 2,600 pounds, though domesticated Asian buffalo, which are widespread across Asia, typically weigh about half as much as that, around 1,200 pounds. African cape buffalo are native to the savannas and grasslands of southern, western, eastern and central Africa, and the animals usually congregate near water. Males are equipped with a head shield from which the horns sprout, sweeping downward before curling back up again, and can weigh as much as 1,500 pounds.
Currently, about 10,000 wild bison still roam 12 states in North America, where the animals forage for an average of 9 to 12 hours each day for weeds, grasses and leafy plant. The American Bison is indigenous to North America. But because the word “buffalo” is so ingrained in our language, it is considered acceptable to use “buffalo” when referring to the American Bison.
So now you know. Probably way more information you cared to read about. I found it very interesting. I will continue trying getting closer to my furry bison neighbors to get better photos for my next post. I am so excited to have these animals closeby. The problem is I see tags on their ears, they will not be here long. Oh well, I will enjoy them while they allow.
I have never seen of these magnificent animals close as they are mostly out in the west, that is Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in my neck of the wood Canada. But I remember watching a show showing strange pets and one guy and gal had a buffalo as a pet. He even went in their house and pulled the guy on a boat at the shore etc. But I do not think that they should be kept as pets at all. They need to graze and be free. Great, well researched and documented post.
These are not pets, they have tags on their ears, sadly they will be sold for the meat, like they sell cows on a farm. Thank you.
Wonderful photos and interesting article!
Thank you Ellie, I was curious and shared the information.
I just love the shape of these animals! And your comprehensive research was very interesting. I knew there was some confusion or overlap in use of the two words (bison/buffalo) but never had it clearly explained until now – thank you, teacher! I guess I have never seen a bison in real life then. Buffalo I’ve seen in India, used for pulling lawn mowers in public parks 🙂
Thanks Norman, it was very interesting. You are most welcome! 🙂 I still plan to get closer for more pics.
Well don’t get too close!!
There is a fence but I am not sure I trust it.
I thought I saw a bison in my back garden last month but when I advanced on it with a trowel to shoo it away, found it to be a coincidentally-shaped Fothergilla.
A shrub? That is what I thought a fothergilla was.
Sorry, my mistake as I wasn’t clear; I was referring to the Fothergilla family who live in the bungalow two doors down.
I have a good friend that actually used to be part of a group that did Buffalo pile throwing. Needless to say we stopped shaking his hand after we found out,.
No way Doc, are you serious! That is too funny. I remember cow patty throwing growing up on the farm. 🙂
Yeah, he did cow patties, bison patties, whatever patties were large enough that he could dry and toss. Some people threw those things really far. We all drove out to an event in Montana one year in college. It was quite the festival.
That is so funny, thanks for the smiles! 🙂
Ever since I first saw them in your photo before, and once again on the photo above especially, I immediately said it was bison and not buffalo, at least that’s the lesson I got in elementary school. Hey, you have a great picture of your great courage, Carol!
Good for you Albert! I was amazed at how close I got but then they got spooked I guess. I will be back for more!
I’ll be glad to see their faces too, Carol.
Wish me luck and I will keep my distance. 🙂
Yeah, you have to keep your distance, of course! Be careful, my friend
Great post, so much interesting information. And good photos of these wonderful animals!
Thanks Lapka, I learned a lot researching for the post.
I learned a few things I didn’t know about them. Great shots Carol!!!
Thanks Kim, probably TMI for most, but I had to share what I thought was cool.
You were quite courageous in taking this photos, that are great by the way.
I took my time walking up to them and there was a fence, however they are strong enough to come through that fence. Thanks!
Great post,very informative! Thank you for sharing all the information! Great photo as well!
Thanks Courtney, it was so cool, I wanted to pet them!
Wow they are huge animals but it’s so nice to see them up close.
Massive animals, I felt so small the closer I got!
Those bison are HUGE! Have you ever stood close to one? Their heads are like five feet tall…
They are massive Alex. I have not gotten close enough, not yet anyway. I am sure they would overtake me since I am only a little over five feet tall. I will keep trying.
Just make sure you have a fence between you and it’s ALL good…
Oh yes there is a fence.
They’ll walk up to the fence, just stand as close as you dare to get a true sense of their size
I will do that when the temperatures are above 30*. 🙂
Yes now I know and will never again call them buffalo but bison ??? still, I call all fishes fish because many times I was sleeping when the animal kingdom was being discussed in my biology class ??? happy that you make it past 100 ?
But it is still ok to call them buffalo. 🙂 Thanks, I keep thinking I am going to run out of things to post about, probably eventually. 🙂
When you run out of things to post in the 365 challenge, Doc Andersen said you can always take a photo of your thumb ??? that is a brilliant idea, I concede, and I meant to do just that one of these days ?
Doc is a funny man! 🙂 But he has a point.
Hahahahaha! I agree ?
…what else would you call a fish?
Awwww Mr. A never throw a pixie any question as you will always get an answer! What else? Uhm, how about mackerel, tuna, dory or perhaps, nemo? ?????
It’s just that buffalo and bison are two different species. Fish are all fish; you can get more accurate, but fish will always be correct when talking about fish
Don’t mention mackerel or tuna, you’re making me hungry
Well I was in the supermarket when I replied and mackerel and tuna are what I saw — in cans ???. I suppose you knew I read Carol’s post and so I am informed that bison are buffalo are two different things. My mentioning of fish refers to the fact that many peeps aren’t so good at particulars ? and therefore such is the reason we referred to bison as buffalo also ?. My brain is just wired in a certain way further aggravated by my laziness to elaborate sometimes ?
These animals are very interesting. I hope that your neighbors will stay for a long time. So you can show us more pictures. The information is very useful. Thank you Carol
Yes they are Elenka, I know there is a ton on info here but I read so much and was so amazed. I hope so too.
I forgot to add this to my post…
I am continuing with the 365 Photos Challenge and I am now on Day 102.