What is a cow-bison hybrid animal called?

A cow-bison hybrid animal is called a beefalo. The name combines “beef,” from domestic cattle, with “buffalo,” the common North American name often used for the American bison.

Beefalo were developed to combine cattle’s manageable temperament and meat production with the bison’s hardiness. Deliberate crossbreeding began in the 19th century, although accidental cattle-bison crosses had been observed earlier. A related term, “cattalo,” is also used, especially for hybrids with a distinctly bison-like appearance.

The American Beefalo Association traditionally defines a full Beefalo as having five-eighths cattle genetics and three-eighths bison genetics. However, genetic research published in 2024 found that many animals marketed as Beefalo had little or no detectable bison ancestry. Beefalo should also not be confused with a yakalo, which is a yak-bison hybrid.