Difference Between Bull And Ox with definition

It is very likely that you have ever heard both terms, and you may think that it is “two different races”, which is incorrect. Both are bulls , but after an artificial procedure they begin to distance themselves at a biological level. Bull And Ox with definition

They are of the same species (Bos Taurus), being the male specimen of the female that we know with the popular noun cow . Next, we are going to delve into both concepts.

The main difference is that the bull is the fertile male, but not castrated. In contrast, the ox, all and being of the same species, is castrated once it has reached sexual maturity.

What is a bull? Bull And Ox with definition

The bull is a male that has not been castrated and that has completed his stage of sexual maturation. They are characterized by their large size, as they can measure up to 1.5 meters high and weigh about a ton.

In addition to their reproductive faculties, which are widely exploited by the industry in order to generate a better mix of genes in cattle. They are incredibly strong animals, and sometimes aggressive.

This is partly at a very high testosterone level, being very territorial animals. They are herbivores like the rest of their species, and have the peculiarity (like the ox and the cow) of being “ruminants”.

Which means that they regurgitate the food once and then chew it better, this regurgitation occurs when it begins to digest it, after chewing the portion of food again, the final digestion process begins again.

What is an ox?

These animals are characterized by their impressive physical vigor and their obedience to the master, but they are roughly the same bull, but castrated once it has completed its sexual maturation, to make it more docile.

For many centuries they were the main plow engine in the sowing of large areas of land. Thanks to their strength and endurance, they were the “machines” that contributed to the feeding of millions.

Oxen (being bulls) are castrated from 12 months, because in the first months of life they can experience high levels of stress. If not controlled they can cause the death of the animal.

Its docile character is achieved thanks to the decrease or elimination of testosterone production when its testicles are extracted. Physically it is the most marked difference, and psychologically (due to behavior) it is its low aggressiveness towards humans.

As they are not fertile, they are only used for field work, although lately their use has decreased thanks to automation and the use of machinery. Even so, they continue to form part of agricultural activities in developing countries.

Bull vs Ox: Main differences

The bull is the uncastrated fertile male; while the ox is of the same species, but castrated once the adult male reaches sexual maturity.
Bulls are used for mating and breed improvement of cattle; Whereas oxen have for centuries been part of agricultural machinery, especially the plow.
Oxen are characterized by their docility (due to castration), while bulls are territorial and more susceptible to stress and anger.

Mohammad Asif Goraya

M A Goraya has qualification of M.phil in Agricultural Sciences. He has almost 15 years of teaching Experience at college and university level. He likes to share his research based knowledge with his students and audience.