The Social Lives of Cows

Most people think of cows simply as farm animals that give milk and spend their days quietly eating grass. In recent years, however, scientists who study animal behavior have discovered that cows have rich social lives. Far from being simple creatures, cows form friendships, feel a range of emotions, and even seem to worry about what may happen next.

One of the most interesting discoveries is that cows make close friends. When cows are allowed to choose, they often spend most of their time with one or two special partners. Scientists have measured the heart rates of cows and found that an animal is calmer and less stressed when it is together with its friend than when it is alone or with a cow it does not know. Like people, cows seem to feel safer in good company.

Cows are also more intelligent than many people imagine. In experiments, they have learned to solve simple problems in order to reach food, and they appear to feel pleased with themselves when they succeed. They have good memories too, and can recognize the faces of other cows and of the humans who look after them. A cow may even remember whether a particular person has treated it kindly or roughly in the past.

These discoveries are changing the way some farmers think about their animals. Many now believe that cows which are kept together with their friends and treated gently are not only happier but also healthier. A calm, contented cow tends to produce more milk and to become sick less often, which is good for the farmer as well.

Learning about the social lives of cows reminds us that even the most familiar animals can surprise us. The more closely scientists look, the more they find that these gentle creatures have feelings and friendships of their very own. Cows that are kept apart from their friends, by contrast, often seem nervous and unhappy. Because of this, many scientists now believe that we should treat these familiar animals with a little more care and respect.