Cow | Walking 1

A cow is the common name for the adult female of Bos taurus, a domesticated species of large herbivorous mammals in the family Bovidae. Cows are primarily raised for milk production, while the term cattle refers more broadly to both sexes and all ages of the species. Males are known as bulls, and young are called calves.

Domestication of cattle began around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent and the Indus Valley. Since then, cows have played a central role in human societies as sources of milk, meat, leather, and labor. Modern dairy breeds, such as the Holstein-Friesian and Jersey, have been selectively bred for high milk yields, while beef breeds, including Angus and Hereford, are valued for meat production.

Cows are ruminants, possessing a four-chambered stomach that allows them to digest fibrous plant material through fermentation. They are social animals, often forming herds with complex hierarchies, and communicate through vocalizations, body language, and scent.

Culturally, cows hold symbolic and religious significance in many parts of the world, particularly in South Asia, where they are often regarded as sacred animals.

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