What is the difference between a Buffalo and a Bison?

Question

I am asking because in South Dakota they call all the buffalo, bison.

Answer 1

The American Bison is different from the African water Buffalo, but the names seem to have slanged into meaning the same critter.  

Actually, if one is angry and chasing you, it doesn't matter what you call him.

Answer 2

Buffalo horns point down.

http://www.freenaturepictures.com/pictur...

Bison horns point up

http://www.nps.gov/archive/wica/Pictures...

gg

Answer 3

buffalo eats standing

bison craps standing

mebe

buffalo=bison

Answer 4

Absolutely nothing.

Answer 5

buffalo is single

bison is more than one

Answer 6

Buffalo is a family of animals (bovidae, in Latin), and the American Bison is a TYPE of Buffalo, which is in the same species with the Asian Water Buffalo and the Gaur.  

Buffalo is NOT the plural of Bison.  This is completely untrue.

Answer 7

cant wash ur hands in a buffalo

Answer 8

a Buffalo is male and bison is female i think ??

Answer 9

buffalo is singular

bison is plural.. meaning more then one :)

Answer 10

Buffalo-any of several Old World animals resembling oxen including, e.g., water buffalo; Cape buffalo

Bison-any of several large shaggy-maned humped bovids having large heads and short horns

Answer 11

Depends on which "Buffalo" you are asking about.  "Bison" is the scientific and correct name, however "Buffalo" or "American Buffalo" is a commonly used name for the "Bison", especially in North America.  The "true buffalo" are the Water Buffalo of Asia and the African Buffalo.

Umm -- I live in South Dakota, grew up in Wyoming, and I've called them 'buffalo' all my life.  It depends on where you are in SD.  The proper name is "Bison", so that's what you'll see on signs, especially in the tourist areas.  But go into a restaurant and try to order a 'bison burger' and they'll probably ask you if a 'buffalo burger' is okay.

Answer 12

None of these Bozos have given you the right answer (sorry guys!).

Buffalo actually live in Africa and Asia (also called Water Boo), has down turned horns and is very dangerous, especially if wounded. It is considered one of the top five animals to hunt in Africa because of their ferocity.

A Bison is what used to roam the plains of the USA before the White Man killed them almost into extinction. They were simply called Buffalo because the Anglos had no other name for them and they slightly resembled a Water Buffalo.

Answer 13

one has a food with there name in it

Answer 14

The Bisons play football in Buffalo.

Answer 15

You can't wash your hands in a Buffalo

Answer 16

Bison have six legs, fly, and have arrows painted on their head