Cows, besides humans, are the single most common species of mammal, so it's safe to say that sometimes they fade into the background of our lives. With big, vacuous eyes, a slow gait, and a generally unhurried demeanor, cows don't get credit for much except their economic role as a source of meat and dairy products.
But the truth is, there's a lot more to cattle than you might think. They are intelligent, highly social animals, and are even honored as sacred creatures in some parts of the world. Here are 5 facts about cows that will make you appreciate these gentle giants once more.
1. Cows have highly developed senses
Because they have eyes at the sides of their heads, they can see what’s coming up around and behind them – they have a sight range of more than 300° compared to our 180°. And when they put their heads down to graze, this range increases to nearly 360°, giving them an almost panoramic view. They also have a great sense of hearing – similar to a dog’s; this is why loud noises can make them stressed. And their sense of smell is so highly tuned they can sniff out odours up to 8km away. All of these senses combined means they are very good at sensing danger or attack. But their senses aren’t completely perfect; they are colour blind to red and green and see these colours as shades of black and grey.
2. Cows have best friends
It’s no secret that cows are social animals. They form close bonds with other cows and even become attached to humans. But did you know that cows have best friends? Like us, they prefer to spend time with certain individuals and develop strong relationships with them. Research shows that cows are more relaxed and content around their best friend. In addition, lactating cows produce more milk when they live happily near a best buddy. Research also shows that separating cows from their best friends is deeply traumatic. Separation from their loved ones causes cows to bellow with grief. Cows also experience depression after losing their favorite companions or when left alone. So, the next time you spot a herd of cattle, see if you can tell which ones are best friends! And if you consider raising cows, make sure to raise them in multiples and pay special attention to their relationships. Cows with best friends are happier, healthier, and more enjoyable to have around.
3. They Are Highly Social Animals
Cows prefer to spend their time together, and some research has even shown that cows have favorite friends and can become stressed when they are separated from one another. In a study measuring isolation, heart rates, and cortisol levels, researcher Krista McLennan found that female cattle had lower heart rates and lower cortisol levels when with a preferred partner compared to a random cow. In addition to enjoying socialization with fellow cows, they also fare better when they are treated well by humans. Researchers have found that if you name a cow and treat her as an individual, she will produce almost 500 more pints of milk a year. Not only are these cows more productive, but they are happier, too—the increased milk output is linked to lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone associated with negative feelings.
4. Cows are good problem solvers
Most people wouldn’t associate cows with being good problem solvers, but they are naturally very curious and get excited by a challenge. Researchers who tasked cows with opening a door to reach food, found the animals’ heartrates increased, their brainwaves showed excitement, and some even jumped into the air. Alexandra Green, a student at the University of Sydney, Australia was very impressed by dairy cows’ decision-making abilities. She found they could be trained to follow sound through a maze to find food. She also discovered that cows use 333 different sounds to communicate with each other.
5. Cows are excellent swimmers
Cows are surprisingly strong swimmers and swim for many miles at a time. In addition, they have powerful legs and can easily paddle their way through the water. Here’s an example of a cow’s incredible swimming ability. In 2021, a Netherlands cow made an epic 62-mile (100 kilometers) swim for survival in the Maas River during a flood. Her journey began when rising waters submerged her pasture. She managed to find her way to a nearby dyke, but with the rising water level, she had to swim for her life in strong currents. Finally, she was discovered and rescued despite her bobbing head camouflaged by a mass of floating debris. The farmer she belongs to says the lucky cow will spend the rest of her life grazing the pastures free from harm. A cow’s ability to swim seems to be an instinct from birth, though calves learn from adult cow behavior. Calves swim short distances with their mothers and usually take to the water quite naturally.
