Some terms are so common that their meaning remains unclear. Likewise, you must have heard about cows and buffalo many times. But often, we get confused between these terms. Both are two different species.
Difference Between Cow and Buffalo [Cow vs Buffalo]
Here is a detailed explanation!
Cow
The cow is a fertile female cattle. It is considerably smaller in size and less aggressive than other species of the same population. Cows do not have sharp horns; instead, they have small or blunt ones. The most vital feature for identifying a cow is the female reproductive system, which has two ovaries and a uterus.
Moreover, cows do not have a prominent hump.
Cows give birth to one calf per year. As humans consume their milk, the value of a cow escalates during lactation.
Buffalo
Buffalo is a vital member of the bovine family. It is black in color and appears cattle-like. Its physique is large compared to other species. Unlike cows, buffaloes have sharp horns. In America, the term buffalo is used for the American Bison.
There are several species of buffalo, such as water buffalo, domestic buffalo, Cape buffalo, and Eurasian buffalo. Interestingly, buffaloes do not have sweat glands on their skin, which heats their bodies more from the inside. Due to this reason, they stay around water bodies and also in mud so that their bodies stay cool.
Swamp buffaloes are used for meat purposes whereas river buffaloes are for milk. In addition, you can find short fur buffaloes in tropical climates and long fur buffaloes in temperate climates.
Cow Vs Buffalo – KeyPoint
In a nutshell, we have curated these key points mentioning the difference between the two:
- Cow is female, whereas buffalo is a different bovine species
- Cows are domestic, and buffaloes are considered wild
- Buffaloes have strong and prominent horns, whereas cows have blunt horns
- Cows have different colors, along with some patterns whereas buffaloes are black
- Buffaloes have a robust build as compared to cows
- The cow is a term used for females of several species whereas buffalo refers to water or domestic buffaloes
Head To Head Comparison
head-to-head comparison between cows and buffaloes:
| Characteristic | Cow | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Bos taurus | Bubalus bubalis |
| Physical Build | Lighter build, narrow face, short horns (in some breeds), dewlap under the neck | Larger and more robust, broader face, long, curved horns, prominent hump on the back |
| Primary Use | Milk production | Milk production |
| Milk Quantity | Produces larger quantities of milk | Produces less milk compared to cows |
| Milk Fat Content | Lower fat content | Higher fat content |
| Milk Lactose Content | Higher lactose content | Lower lactose content |
| Temperament | Generally docile and easy to handle | It can be more temperamental and challenging to handle |
| Distribution | Commonly found in temperate regions | Commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in South Asia. |
| Key Regions | United States, Europe, Australia | South Asia, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa |
We hope this article helped you understand the difference between the two terms and gain clarity.
Happy Learning!
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