10 Things You Didn't Know About Cows
Cows, aside from humans, are the most common mammal species, so it's fair to assume they occasionally disappear into the background of our lives. Cows aren't known for anything other than their economic position as a source of meat and dairy products. They have wide, void eyes, a slow gait, and an unhurried disposition. But, contrary to common opinion, cattle are much more nuanced than they seem. They are intelligent, highly social animals who are revered in certain parts of the world as sacred beings. Here are ten cow facts that will make you love these gentle giants all over again.
1. Cows Originated in Turkey
Domestic cows, also known as taurine cows, are descended from aurochs, or wild oxen, and were domesticated about 10,500 years ago in southeast Turkey. A second subspecies, known as zebu cattle, was domesticated in India about 7,000 years ago in a separate occurrence. Although the wild aurochs became extinct in 1627 as a result of overhunting and habitat destruction, its genetics live on in a range of descendants, including water buffalo, wild yaks, and, of course, domestic cows.
2. They Are Highly Social Animals
Cows like to spend time with one another, and studies have shown that they have favorite friends and can become stressed if they are separated. In a study comparing isolation, heart rates, and cortisol levels, Krista McLennan discovered that when female cattle were with a chosen partner, their heart rates and cortisol levels were lower than when they were with a random cow.
3. They Like Attention
Cows not only enjoy socializing with other cows, but they also excel when they are handled well by humans. Researchers discovered that naming a cow and treating her as a person causes her to generate nearly 500 more pints of milk each year. These cows are not only more active, but also happier, as higher milk production is related to lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone linked to negative emotions.
4. Cow-Tipping Probably Isn't a Real Thing
Many people swear that they tipped over cows in the middle of the night, but experts say that these storytellers are twisting the facts rather than tipping cows. In 2005, University of British Columbia researchers calculated that tipping a cow would require 2,910 newtons of energy, implying that pushing a cow over would take more than human power. If you still need more evidence, remember what experts do to turn a cow on its side: they use a table.
5. They Don't Sleep Very Much
Cows lie down for 10 to 12 hours a day, but much of it is well-deserved rest rather than sleep. In reality, the average cow sleeps for around four hours a day, in short bursts during the day. Sleep studies have also shown that, much like humans, a cow's wellbeing, efficiency, and behavior can be influenced by a lack of sleep.
While we're on the topic of sleep, cows, unlike horses, do not sleep standing up and will still lie down before falling asleep.
6. They Are a Sacred Symbol in Hindu Culture
Cows are revered as sacred symbols of life in Hindu-majority communities, and they often wander the streets and participate in holiday celebrations. There are regulations in place to shield cows from harm in certain situations. The most stringent of these are found in Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India where killing a cow carries a seven-year prison sentence and politicians have created a "Cow Cabinet" to ensure the animal's welfare.
7. They Are One of the Biggest Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
When cows digest their food, fermentation produces a lot of methane; cows produce 250 to 500 liters of the gas per day, and it's a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Beef and dairy cattle outperform all other animals as methane emitters, accounting for 14.5 percent of total emissions. Since livestock accounts for the bulk of the world's 1.4 billion cows, reducing our consumption of meat and dairy products has been shown to be a successful way to tackle global climate change.
8. They Are Good Swimmers
Cows may not seem to be water-lovers, but any cowboy can tell you that cattle can swim. In reality, ranchers and farmers have been "swimming cattle" across rivers for decades, allowing them to move cows between pastures or even across the country. Cows will wade into ponds and lakes to cool off and avoid insects in the summer, even though they are not herded by a farmer.
9. They Can't See the Color Red
Bulls do not strike when they see the color red, contrary to common opinion. Cows are colorblind by human standards and lack a retina receptor that can process red hues, so the color doesn't affect them. A bright red cape seems dark yellowish gray to a raging bull. When a matador persuades a bull to strike, the action of the waving flag or cape is more likely to provoke the answer than the color.
10. They Only Have One Stomach — With Four Compartments
Although it is commonly believed that cows have four stomachs, this is not the case. Cows have a single wide stomach with four distinct compartments, each serving a different purpose. The cow's complex digestive system helps them absorb the 35 to 50 pounds of grass and hay they eat each day. Cows contain cud in the second portion of their stomach, called the reticulum, which is a taffy-like material that they can burp up and chew to finish their meal.
Do you like cows? If you're a cow lover, the Not Today Heifer Shirt might interest you.
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