Cow

Cow is a large domesticated ungulate animal that is commonly kept as livestock for meat (beef and veal), dairy products (milk and cheese), and for work (pulling ploughs and carts). They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and are the most widespread species of the genus Bos.

Anatomy and characteristics

Cows are large animals, with a weight ranging from 147 to 1363 kg (325 to 3000 lb). They have a large body with a humped or flat back, a large dewlap, and a long tail ending in a tuft of hair. The skin is covered with hair, which can be short or long, and the color varies from white to black, with all shades of brown and gray in between.

Diet

Cows are herbivores, which means they eat a diet of grass and other plants. They have a specialized digestive system that allows them to break down tough plant material. They have a four-chambered stomach, which includes the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.

Breeding

Cows are bred for many reasons including for their meat, milk, and their ability to work. The process of breeding cows involves selecting a bull and a cow with desirable traits and allowing them to mate. The gestation period for a cow is approximately nine months.

Health

Like all animals, cows can suffer from a variety of diseases and health issues. These can include infectious diseases, like bovine tuberculosis and mad cow disease, as well as non-infectious diseases, like mastitis and lameness.

Economic importance

Cows are of great economic importance worldwide. They provide meat, milk, and leather, and they are also used for transportation and for pulling ploughs and carts in many parts of the world.

See also

• Bovine
• Dairy farming
• Beef cattle
• Veal
• Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

References

Cow Resources
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