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Are bison and buffalo both bovids?
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bovid
American bison, or plains buffalo (Bison bison).
Yes, both bison and buffalo are members of the Bovidae family.12
Bovids are a family of hoofed mammals that also includes cattle, antelopes, sheep, and goats. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in casual conversation, they refer to distinct animals. Bison are native to North America and Europe, whereas buffalo—specifically the water buffalo and Cape buffalo—are indigenous to South Asia and Africa, respectively.231
Key physical differences that distinguish the two include:
* Humps: Bison have a pronounced shoulder hump, while buffalo do not.14
* Horns: Buffalo typically possess large, sweeping horns, whereas bison have shorter, sharper horns.1
* Beards: Bison often sport thick beards, a feature absent in buffalo.1