What is the difference between Bull and Ox?
Bull and ox are terms used for male species. Many people have used the terms interchangeably not exactly knowing the terms refer to different animals.
They both belong to the bovine family. There are various terms that are used to refer to animals in this family. They include; cow, steer, heifer, ox, and bull.
Bull and ox are some of the terms used to refer to animals in the bovine family. The two share some characteristics but they are different from one another.
The main difference between bull and ox is that a Bull is a male individual of a cattle while an ox is a common bovine draft animal. Bulls are not castrated while oxen are castrated.
Comparison Table (Bull vs Ox)
| Characteristics | Bull | Ox |
| Classification | It is a member of the bovine family. | It is a sub-genus of cattle. |
| Uses | They are male animals used for reproduction. | They are draft animals used for pulling. |
| Size | They are comparatively smaller in body size. | They are large in body size. |
| Breeding | It is not controlled as they are needed for stock. | Breeding is controlled. |
What is a Bull?
The term bull is used to refer to fertile male species in the bovine family. It includes various breeds but they are widely known as cattle.
Bull is a male cow that is characterized by having its reproductive parts intact. They are not castrated. They are left so that they may be used as stud animals to mate with the females and maintain a population of the cattle on the farm.
When bulls are among the livestock it creates an atmosphere to have high production rates hence the reproduction is not controlled.
They are herbivores and they entirely depend on plant matter for survival. Although they may be fed with other commercial feeds that are either dry or wet.
What is an Ox?
Ox is a sub-genus of cattle. It is a male species but it is castrated at an early age to prepare it for its purpose.
When the animals are castrated, it makes them become docile and they will store all the fats they take in hence they will have a large body size.
They are used for different purposes on the farm. They are used for pulling. In developing countries, they are used for pulling plows and harvesting.
Pulling animals are beyond the age of four years. This is to ensure that they have developed fully and possess the bulkiest body they need to perform their duty.
They are castrated during the first month of their life. After 12 months of age, an uncastrated male may become active due to sexual maturation.
They are herbivores like other animals in the bovine family. They depend on plant matter entirely for survival. Although some farmers may decide to give their animals other commercially produced feeds either dry or wet.
Main Differences between Bull and Ox
- Bull is a member of the bovine family while an ox is a sub-genus of cattle.
- Bull is comparatively smaller in body size while an ox is larger in body size.
- Bulls are bred for the purpose of breeding and meat production while ox is bred for the purpose of performing heavy tasks on the farm.
- The breeding of bulls is not controlled while the breeding of oxen is controlled.
Similarities between Bull and Ox
- They both belong to the bovine family.
- They are both male species of cattle.
- They are both herbivores.
- They possess similar genes.
In Conclusion
Bulls and oxen are both members of the bovine family. They are male species of cattle but the difference comes in how they are bred as they are bred for different reasons.
Bulls are bred for the purpose of reproduction and meat production while oxen are bred for the purpose of performing tasks on the farm.
The main feature that makes bulls different from oxen is the purpose of their breeding.
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