This pasture animal is smarter than most people realize.

Who is the brainiac? Let’s find out!

“Cow” is a common name given to domestic cattle or bovinea whether they are male or female, intact or neutered, or even of the same breed. Because the natural behavior of cows often has them lazily foraging for grasses to eat, these animals are thought to be unintelligent, but quite to the contrary, cows are smart creatures!

Cows can identify an average of 100 of their own herd members and form close bonds with each other. Small groups of friends or cliques within the herd will travel closely together while foraging in pastures and will call out and even run to each other’s rescue if danger is nearby. Female cows especially tend to protect young calves in the herd, whether the calf is their own or another female’s babe.

The gentle cow’s amazing senses don’t stop there! Cows can remember important experiences for about 5 years, and the event does not have to be something that happened directly to the cow. For instance, a cow will remember the positive experience of being fed yummy treats from a kind person. The next time that person comes around, not only will that cow go running to the fence for a treat, but the gargantuan grazer may have to race the other herd members to the food prize—all the cows want in on the fun!