Meet the cow
Cows are curious, social animals. They make close friendships, learn quickly, and can recognise dozens of other cows and the people who care for them.
Friends and family
Cows pick favourite companions and rest next to them. Their heart rate goes down when a friend is nearby.
A mother cow and her calf bond quickly and will call for each other when separated.
How they talk
Cows moo differently to different cows, and mothers and calves recognise each other's voices.
- Low rumbling moo: Usually a mother calling her calf, or a calm 'I'm here'.
- High, loud moo: Often distress — hunger, or calling for a missing companion.
How clever are they?
Cows learn tasks quickly and show 'eureka' excitement — jumping and running — when they work out a puzzle.
What they feel
Scientists measure cow emotions through heart rate, eye white, ear position and play behaviour.
Superpower: Almost all-round vision
Cows can see nearly 330° around themselves without turning their heads.
👀 See the world through their eyes
Sight
Nearly all-round vision, but a blind spot right behind them — that's why sudden approaches from behind startle them.
Smell
A cow can smell things up to about 10 km away.
Hearing
They hear higher pitches than we do, which is why loud clanging is stressful for them.
🤓 Did you know?
- Cows have best friends and get stressed when they are separated from them.
- A cow's nose print is as unique as your fingerprint.
- Cows can remember and recognise more than 50 other cows.
- Researchers are still studying exactly how much cows understand about each other's feelings.scientists are still studying this
Living alongside people
Around a billion cattle live with humans. Most are farmed for milk or meat; a smaller number live at sanctuaries where they stay with their families for life.