Among domesticated cattle, we know that cows are used to provide dairy, but what about the males?We have heard the terms ox and bull both being used to describe adult male cattle. However, do they both refer to the same animal?The answer is no, though both are indeed adult males of the same species, their roles on the farm are quite different! Bulls are used mainly for breeding purposes, whereas oxen are used to do the heavy lifting on the farm. Compared to bulls, oxen are also far less aggressive, and quite docile in nature. Physically, they are slightly different as well. Bulls are generally much more muscular at first glance due to their increased male testosterone levels, whereas oxen are larger and heftier.If you enjoyed this article, do check out our other pages on the difference between donkey and mule and the difference between leopard and jaguar.What is a bull?A bull refers to a fully grown, uncastrated male of the Bos taurus species, more widely known as cattle. They are large, muscular bovine animals, and are used as stud animals by farmers in order to mate with females and increase the population of domesticated cattle.Due to their breeding abilities being left intact, bulls can be influenced by their hormones and are often difficult to control. They are usually not used for riding or plowing purposes and are kept isolated in their own pastures until it is time for them to mate with cows and heifers. Apart from breeding, they do not serve any other purpose, so they are more likely to be slaughtered for beef before they reach puberty. Most farmers only require a few bulls, and they might prove to be too aggressive in nature to control.Bulls are very important as they help to breed more cows, which are used in the production of dairy, beef, and more cattle.What is an ox?Though the word ox commonly refers to a castrated bull of the Bos taurus animal species, it can refer to any type of fully grown draft or riding cattle, including females. As these adult male cattle have been neutered, they do not possess the ability to mate or breed with bovine females and are far more docile in nature than bulls.Oxen are mainly used to plow fields by farmers to get ready them for planting crops, pull bullock carts, and grinding grains. They are grouped together in pairs known as oxen. Oxen are primarily castrated while young, before they reach one year of age, as leaving them intact beyond this can lead to them becoming very aggressive and difficult to control. Oxen are much calmer in nature and can be kept together with other cattle as well as females which are ready to mate, as they get along well with other individuals. Oxen are not usually slaughtered to make beef, as they are very useful, being used to plow the fields, pulling large loads while transporting goods, grinding grains as well, and much more labor-intensive work. In rare cases, cows are used in place of oxen instead of castrated bulls. However, this is not common as the term oxen refers to mostly adult male cattle.What are the key differences between and ox and bull?Though both bulls and oxen are born to cows and can belong to the same species, there are a number of physical differences between the two which become clear as they age. Though oxen are larger among the two types of male cattle, bulls are more muscular and far heavier due to their thicker necks and heavier bones. The difference between the two can easily be spotted by looking near their hind legs, by which we can determine whether they have been castrated or not. Oxen are castrated early, as a result of which they have more developed and muscular rear bodies compared to bulls, that have more developed fore bodies.There is also a huge difference in their temperament due to their varying testosterone levels as a result of castration. Bulls show much more aggression and are very difficult to control. Their behavior is often unpredictable, and they can get very violent at times, using their horns to gore other cattle or humans which get in their way. This is why it is recommended to keep them isolated. They are also known to be very lazy once they have exhausted their energy running around.Oxen are calm and dependable and are used to handle labor-intensive tasks such as plowing fields, pulling heavy loads while transporting goods as draft animals, and for riding. They are very docile, rarely aggressive, and can be kept in pairs or even large groups. They can easily be trained and have a lot of stamina, meaning they can work for almost the whole day without showing any signs of tiredness or irritation.There is also a considerable difference in the meat of domestic oxen and bulls. Though oxen are much less likely to be slaughtered than bulls, they may still be used for meat in case there is a surplus of them or if they are unable to work anymore. The meat of both bulls and oxen is drier and tougher than that of cows and heifers. The meat of bulls is leaner and more muscular, and the raw meat has an unpleasant odor. The meat of oxen is more moist and more tender, due to its high-fat content. This is a product of their lower testosterone levels, which happens as a result of castration. The tenderness and quality of beef breeds are far superior, as they have been bred for this purpose whereas bulls and oxen are categories of cattle that have not.Similarities Between Ox And BullBoth oxen and bulls belong to the Bos taurus species, which is the most common type of domestic bovines.They are both males and are born as the same male calf. The only difference lies in whether they are castrated or left intact before they reach one year of age. To put it simply, male oxen are castrated bulls and are called by a different name due to this.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for difference between an ox and bull then why not take a look at difference between frog and toad, or ox facts.
Among domesticated cattle, we know that cows are used to provide dairy, but what about the males?
