Cow

Cow Biology and Types

Mature female cattle are called cows, while adult males are called bulls. Young females are heifers, young males are bullocks, and castrated males are steers or oxen. Cows belong to the subfamily Bovinae and the Bos genus, with taurine cattle (without humps) widely found in temperate areas while zebus (humped cattle) are found mainly in tropical regions like India and Africa.​

Characteristics

Cows have cloven hooves, horns (varies by breed), and four-chambered stomachs specialized for digesting tough plant matter like grass. They are herbivorous and social animals, living in herds structured by dominance hierarchy. Adults lack upper incisors, instead having a gummy pad for grazing, and they chew cud by regurgitating and rechewing food to aid digestion.​

Milk and Economic Importance

Only female cattle produce milk, which is used for consumption and to make butter, yogurt, cheese, and more. Dairy cows can produce large quantities, specially bred for higher milk output. Cows are also bred for beef, with different breeds optimized for muscle or milk.​

Cultural Role and Distribution

Cows are prominent in many cultures and are even considered sacred in some, such as in India where killing cows is illegal in some states. There were over 940 million cattle worldwide by 2022, with India, Brazil, and China having the largest populations.