Last Updated on April 10, 2023 by Amin Tawar
Buffalo Height & Length
Almost every one of us has seen a buffalo at least once in our lives and has always been astounded by its muscular physique and astonishingly large body.
But have you ever gone back and thought about exactly how large the species of buffaloes are?
The size of buffaloes or any species can be explained through two parameters, one is their length or height, and the other is their weight. To begin with, the overall height of the buffalo depends on their subspecies type.
For instance, American buffalo are generally larger and longer than water buffalo. Male American buffalo can reach heights of up to 6.6 feet to 6.9 ft at the shoulder and lengths of up to 9.5 ft – 11.4 ft from head to tail.
Female American buffalo are typically smaller, reaching heights of up to 4-5 feet at the shoulder and lengths of up to 9.1 ft to 9.5 ft from head to tail.
Water buffalo, on the other hand, are typically smaller and shorter than American buffalo. Male water buffalo can reach heights of up to 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) at the shoulder and lengths of up to 2.4-3 meters (7.8-9.8 feet) from head to tail, while females are generally smaller, reaching heights of up to 3.9-4.1 feet at the shoulder and lengths of up to 3 meters (10 feet) from head to tail.
| Buffalo Size | American Buffalo | Water Buffalo |
| Male | Length: 9.5 ft – 11.4 ft Height: 6.6 feet to 6.9 ft | Height: 4.3-5.2 ft Length: 3 meters (9.8 feet) |
| Female | Length: 9.1 ft to 9.5 ft Height: 4-5 feet | Height: 3.9-4.1 ft Length: 2.4 (7.8 feet) |
Buffalo Weight
Another parameter or the deciding factor of how larger or heavy an animal is their weight. The weight or body mass of living species in turn depends on factors such as the habitat in which they live, their diet and eating habits, their lifestyle, and even their gender.
Firstly, Buffalo are large, herbivorous animals that live in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, savannas, and wetlands.
Their diet primarily consists of grasses, herbs, and other vegetation, which they graze on throughout the day. They are also known to eat fruit and aquatic plants, depending on the availability of these foods in their habitat.
In terms of their lifestyle, buffalos are active during the day and tend to rest in the shade or in water during the hottest part of the day. They are strong, agile animals and are known for their powerful build and curved horns.
As a result, Buffalos are quite heavy and powerful animals. The Male American buffalo, also known as bison, can weigh up to 1270 kg (2800 pounds), while females typically weigh up to 500 kilograms (1100 pounds).
In contrast, Water Buffalos can weigh up to 1200 kilograms (2600 pounds) for males and 800 kilograms (1760 pounds) for females. 1
| Buffalo Size | American Buffalo | Water Buffalo |
| Male | 1270 kg (2800 pounds) | 1200 kilograms (2600 pounds) |
| Female | 500 kilograms (1100 pounds) | 800 kilograms (1760 pounds) |
Buffalo Herd Size
Although Buffalos are quite large and powerful animal species, they move around and usually live in a group of buffalos usually called as herds.
Also, they are social creatures that frequently gather in herds. These herds can contain anywhere from a handful of animals to several hundred.
Several Buffalos group live together for a variety of reasons, such as defense against predators, mobility, and access to food and water.
Because there is safety in numbers, living in a herd protects buffalo from predators like lions and wolves. The buffalo can unite when threatened and defend themselves using their size and strength.
Baby Buffalo Size
Buffalos are not born large, and they are not always of the same size. When born, they are quite smaller than adults, and as they start to grow older, their size keeps increasing exponentially both in terms of height and weight.
Baby buffalo, also known as calves, are born with a weight of around 25-45 kilograms (55-100 pounds), depending on the species and individual animal.
They are typically about 1 meter (3.3 feet) tall at the shoulder at birth and gain weight quickly, reaching adult size within a few years.
They grow quickly, gaining weight and size at a rapid rate. By the time they are one month old, baby buffalo can weigh up to 70 kilograms (155 pounds) and be about 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall at the shoulder.
As they continue to grow, baby buffalo can reach weights of up to 200 kilograms (440 pounds) by the time they are six months old and can be about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall at the shoulder.
By the time they are one year old, baby buffalo can weigh up to 350 kilograms (770 pounds) and be about 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) tall at the shoulder.
How Big Is A Full Grown Buffalo?
As the yet-to-be-matured buffalos approach their adult size, baby buffalo can weigh up to 450 kilograms (990 pounds) by the time they are two years old and can be about 1.7 meters (5.6 feet) tall at the shoulder.
However, by the time they reach adulthood, male American buffalo can weigh up to 1270 kg (2800 pounds) and be up to 6.6 feet to 6.9 ft tall at the shoulder, while female American buffalo can weigh up to 500 kilograms (1100 pounds) and be up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall at the shoulder.
Water buffalo can be even larger, with males reaching weights of up to 1200 kilograms (2600 pounds) and heights of up to 4.3-5.2 ft at the shoulder, and females reaching weights of up to 800 kilograms (1760 pounds) and heights of up to 3.9-4.1 ft at the shoulder.
Note: Below I’ve compared Water Buffalo With Other Species. If you want to see an American Buffalo/bison comparison Click Here
Buffalo Size Compared To Human
Coming to the most interesting part of the article, here we will compare the size of a full-sized buffalo with an adult human species. Quite interesting right? Like, you would have seen a buffalo multiple times around you, but have you ever paid close attention to how large or small it is compared to us?
So, to answer the above question, Buffalos are significantly larger than humans, with some species reaching weights of up to 1200 kilograms (2600 pounds) and heights of up to 4.3-5.2 ft at the shoulder.
In comparison, the average weight of a human is around 110 to 154 lbs (50 – 70 kgs), and the average height is around 5.5-5.9 ft.
| Animal species | Average length/height | Weight |
| Water Buffalo | 4.3-5.2 ft | 1200 kilograms (2600 pounds) |
| Average adult human | 5.5 to 5.9 feet | 110 to 154 lbs (50 – 70 kgs) |
Buffalo Size Compared To Cow
While buffalo is large and muscular, cows are not much less than them. A buffalo and a cow are both hoofed mammals that belong to the Bovidae family.
Buffalos are typically larger and more muscular than cows. In terms of behavior, buffalo tend to be more social and live in larger herds than cows.
A full-grown adult buffalo can weigh up to 2,600 pounds, while a full-grown adult cow typically weighs between 800 and 2,400 pounds.
Additionally, buffalo tend to be taller and have larger heads than cows, with an average height of around 5-6 feet at the shoulder. The horns of a buffalo are also typically larger and more curved than those of a cow.
| Animal species | Average length/height | Weight |
| Water Buffalo | 4.3-5.2 ft | 1200 kilograms (2600 pounds) |
| Cow | 4.4-4.9 ft (137-152 cm) | 360–1,100 kg (800–2,400 pounds) |
Also Check out Wild Boar Size And Comparison
Buffalo Size Compared To Horse
Moving on, up next in the list of comparisons is a horse, which is quite a fast and agile animal. Buffalo are generally larger than horses, both in terms of height and weight.
A full-grown adult buffalo can weigh up to 2,600 pounds, while a full-grown adult horse typically weighs between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds.
Additionally, water buffalo tend to be similar to horses, with an average height of around 4-5.2 feet at the shoulder.
On the other hand, horses are smaller and lighter. A full-grown adult horse will weigh between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, while some smaller horse breeds, such as miniature horses and ponies, can weigh as little as 200 pounds.
| Animal species | Average length/height | Weight |
| Water Buffalo | 4.3-5.2 ft | 1200 kilograms (2600 pounds) |
| Horse | 4.5-5.2 feet | 1,000 and 1,500 pounds |
Buffalo Vs Yak Size Comparison
Lastly, let’s see whether a water buffalo is larger or smaller than the great yak. Buffalo and yaks are both large, hoofed mammals.
However, Yaks are generally similar to Buffalos, with a full-grown adult buffalo weighing up to 2,600 pounds, while a full-grown adult yak typically weighs between 1,100–2,600 lb.
Additionally, Water Buffalo are generally smaller than yaks, with an average height of around 5 feet at the shoulder for adult buffalo. Yaks, on the other hand, are typically taller, with an average height of around 5.2 to 6.7 ft at the shoulder.
However, there can be some variation in size among individual buffalo and yaks, and some yaks may be smaller or taller than some buffalo.
| Animal species | Average length/height | Weight |
| Water Buffalo | 4.3-5.2 ft | 1200 kilograms (2600 pounds) |
| Yak | 5.2 to 6.7 ft | 500–1,200 kg (1,100–2,600 lb) |
Conclusion
And that was everything you need to know about the size of Buffalo. I hope this article was helpful enough and your queries were answered.
Thank You For Reading!
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