Since cows are the most common mammals besides humans, it is not an exaggeration to say that they sometimes disappear from the background of our lives. With large, hollow eyes, slow gait, and generally unhurried attitude, cattle do not earn much credit except for their economic role as a source of meat and dairy products. But the truth is, there are a lot more cows out there than you think. They are intelligent and social animals, and in some parts of the world they are even revered as sacred creatures. Here are 10 facts about cows that will make you appreciate this gentle giant once again.
1. Turkey cattle
Domestic cattle, also known as taurine cattle, are descendants of wild cattle. Aurox, and they were first domesticated in southeastern Turkey about 10,500 years ago. A second subspecies, sometimes called zebu cattle, was later domesticated in India as a separate event for about 7,000 years. Wild aurochs went extinct in 1627 due to overfishing and habitat loss, but their genetics remain in many descendants including buffalo, wild yak, and of course livestock.
2. Cows are called cows and males are called bulls.
In English, there is usually a single word that can be used to refer to both males or females of a species such as a cat or dog. Cow, however, is unique in that there are no singular nouns that refer equally to adult cows or bulls. We have the word “cattle” in the plural. That is, in colloquial usage, cows are often referred to as cows.
3. They are very social animals
Cows prefer to spend time together, and some studies have found that cows have favorite friends and that being away from each other can be stressful. In a study that measures sequestration, heart rate and cortisol levels, researcher Krista McLennan found that cows had lower heart rates and lower cortisol levels when they were with their preferred partner compared to random cows.
In addition to enjoying socializing with fellow cows, they do better when treated well by humans. Researchers have found that if cows are named and treated individually, they will almost always produce.
Add 500 pints of milk per year. Not only are these cows more productive, they are also happier. Increased milk production lowers levels of cortisol, a stress hormone associated with negative emotions.
4. Cows are good at swimming
A cow may not seem to go to the water, but any cowboy can say that a cow can swim. In fact, “swimming cows” across rivers is a traditional technique that has been developed for generations by ranchers and farmers, allowing them to move cattle between pastures or even across the country. Even if farmers don’t herd, the cows walk to ponds and lakes to cool off in the summer and avoid insects.
5. Cow tips are probably not real
Many swear by the story of turning a cow in the middle of the night, but experts claim that these storytellers are not turning the cow over, but distorting the truth. In 2005, researchers at the University of British Columbia required a force of 2,910 Newtons to tilt a cow, which means it actually takes more force than a human force to push a cow. If you still need more evidence, consider what the experts do when they need to have a cow next to them. use a table
6. Cows Don’t Sleep Much
Cows spend 10 to 12 hours a day lying down, but most of that is resting time, not sleep. In fact, the average cow grows at short intervals of about 4 hours a day, usually throughout the day. Sleep studies have also shown that, just like humans, lack of sleep can affect the health, productivity and behavior of cattle.
It is worth noting that during sleep, cows, unlike horses, do not sleep standing up, but always lie down before going to sleep.
7. They are sacred symbols of Hindu culture
Animals are considered sacred symbols of life, and cattle in Hindu culture often roam freely through the streets, participating in holiday traditions. In some cases, there are laws that protect cattle from harm. The strictest of these is found in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, where killing a cow carries a prison sentence of seven years and politicians guarantee the welfare of the “cow cabinet” animals.
8. One of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
When cows digest food, fermentation produces large amounts of methane. Cows produce between 250 and 500 liters of gas per day, a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Livestock is responsible for 14.5% of total emissions, and beef and dairy cows exceed all other livestock in methane emissions. With most of the planet’s 1.4 billion cattle raised as livestock, reducing meat and dairy consumption has proven to be an effective way to combat global climate change.
9. They Can’t See Red
The old saying that bulls charge when they see red is not true. Color doesn’t upset them. In fact, cows are colorblind. By human standards, they don’t even have retinal receptors that can process a red hue. To a ferocious bull, a bright red cape looks like a dull yellow-gray. When a matador persuades the bull to charge, it is likely the movement of waving a flag or cape that elicits a reaction, but not the color.
10. Cows have only one stomach — they have 4 compartments.
It is often said that cows have four stomachs, but this is not technically true. Cows actually have one very large stomach and four separate compartments, each performing a different function. This complex digestive system allows cows to better handle the 35-50 pounds of grass and hay they consume each day. Cows produce the cud in the second part of the stomach, called the reticulum. The cud is a sticky substance that cows burp and continue to chew until they are finished eating.
