Why is a water buffalo called buffalo?

The water buffalo is called a buffalo because it is a member of the *Bubalus* genus, which includes various species of buffalo.

Here's the breakdown:

* "Buffalo" is a general term used for several species of large, even-toed ungulates, including:

* American Bison (Bison bison): This is the animal that most people think of when they hear "buffalo."

* African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer): There are several subspecies of African buffalo.

* Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): This is the species you're asking about.

* The name "buffalo" comes from the Latin word "bubalus," which was used to describe a large, wild ox-like animal.

So, the water buffalo is called a buffalo because it's a species within the *Bubalus* genus, just like the other types of buffalo.

It's important to note that the term "buffalo" can be a bit confusing, as it refers to different species of animals. However, it's accurate to call a water buffalo a buffalo because of its classification.