COW

Cow is the common term for an adult female of domesticated cattle, a group of large ruminant mammals in the genus Bos. The broader group, cattle, includes two main species: Bos taurus (taurine cattle) and Bos indicus (zebu). Cattle are kept worldwide for milk, meat, leather, and various draft tasks. In casual use, male adults are bulls and young animals are calves.

Cattle are ruminants with a four-chambered stomach that enables fermentation of plant matter. They chew cud and primarily eat grasses and other vegetation. They are social animals, often forming herds with complex hierarchies and a range of vocalizations and body-language signals. Size and physical traits vary widely by breed and nutrition.

Domestication occurred thousands of years ago, with early cattle kept in the Near East and South Asia for milk, meat, and draft power. Today there are hundreds of breeds adapted to different climates and purposes. Common dairy breeds include Holstein and Jersey; common beef breeds include Angus and Hereford. Many cattle are bred to be horned or polled, and coat colors range from solid to patterned.

Reproduction typically involves the female entering estrous cycles, with a gestation period around nine months. Calves are born relatively well-developed and are often weaned after a period. Lactation follows calving and milk production varies by breed, management, and genetics. Cattle are also sources of leather and byproducts from meat processing.

Global cattle farming supports food security, rural livelihoods, and trade. Welfare and animal health are important considerations in modern husbandry, including housing, nutrition, vaccination, and humane handling. Environmental impacts include land use, feed production, and methane emissions from digestion.