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The scientific name of cows is Bos Taurus. The Cow family also includes animals like Goats, Antelopes, Bison, Buffalo, and Gazelles. In India, cows are considered sacred whereas in many countries cows are consumed as beef or are raised for various reasons including dairy products like milk and cheese.
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Key Terms: Gir Cows, Sahiwal Cow, Benefits of Cows, Jersey Cow, Black Angus, Brahman Cow
Facts about Cows
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Globally there are around 900 breeds of cows and 1.3 billion head of castles. Some more interesting facts about Cows are-
- Cows always stay in groups as they love to be social and develop bonds.
- Cows can walk up the stairs but not down the stairs as their knees do not bend.
- Cows have a 300-degree vision and the blind spots are directly in front of them or behind them.
- In India, it is a punishable offense to kill Cows.
- Cows have digestive areas in one stomach. The rumen holds all the food.
- The stomach of a cow is also called the rumen and can hold up to 50 gallons of food. A cow can consume 40 gallons of food in a day.
- Cows can face stress when they’re separated from their group.
- Cows have a good sense of smell and taste. They can smell things from miles away.
Types of Cows
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Cows are also known as cattle and have different breeds in the cow family. Some type of famous cattle breeds around the world are-
Black Angus
The Black Angus breeds are also called Aberdeen Angus and are found in the USA. They’re high in demand because of their widely consumed meat.- This breed is hornless and has black skin with hair.
- Black Angus is known for their Early development.
Belted Galloways
The Belted Galloways are also called the Oreo cattle as they have black and white skin. They originated from Scotland.- Belted Galloways have double coats of hair to make them feel warm.
Brahman
Brahman cows are found in India and are considered to be sacred. Brahman cows are resistant to pests, parasites, and diseases.- The Brahman cows carry a large hump on their shoulders and have horns.
- In India, People even use cow urine for sacred purposes.
Dexter
Dexters originated in Southern Island and arrived in the US in 1900. They’re small cows that weigh only about 1000 pounds. Their Body does not grow much because of their less pasture.- Dexter cows have the ability to thrive in hot and cold climates.
- Dexter cows are easy to handle.
Red Angus
Red Angus was developed in Scotland and both Black and Red Angus are Purebred. The red Angus is widely used for artificial insemination.Simmental
The Simmental breeds are the oldest of cows and are now found in the world widely. They have no color restrictions.- Simmental cows have rapid growth.
- They are large in size and have great milk production.
| Important Topics from this Chapter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Plant Breeding | Inbreeding Depression | Species |
| Mendelian Inheritance | Chromosomes and Genes | Monohybrid and Dihybrid |
Uses of Cows
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Cows raise livestock for meat, milk, and leather. Some other Uses of Cow are-
- Cows are considered sacred in countries like India.
- Cows milk is widely used throughout the world.
- Cows provide a maximum requirement for farming.
- Cow milk is considered to be the most beneficial milk after mothers' milk. The milk is rich in vitamins like B2, B3, and A which help in increasing immunity.
- Cows ghee helps in the development of the brain and increases the HDL of cholesterol.
- Cows' ghee also makes teeth and bones strong.
Things To Remember
- The scientific name for Cows is Bos Taurus.
- Cows are used for milk, meat, cattle farming, and leather mostly.
- Different breeds of cows are- Brahman, Dexter, Black Angus, Belted Galloway, and Charolais.
- Cows have digestive areas in one stomach which is called rumen and holds all the food.
- Cows’ milk is considered to be the most beneficial milk after a mother's milk.
- Milk is rich in vitamins like B2, B3, and A.
Sample Questions
Ques. Are Cows herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores? (1 mark)
Ans. Cows are Herbivores, meaning they eat plants.
Ques. What Kingdom do Cows belong to? (1 mark)
Ans. Cows belong to the Kingdom Animalia.
Ques. What phylum do Cows belong to? (1 mark)
Ans. Cows belong to the phylum Chordata.
Ques. What class do Cows belong to? (1 mark)
Ans. Cows belong to the class Mammalia.
Ques. What family do Cows belong to? (1 mark)
Ans. Cows belong to the family Bovidae.
Ques. What order do Cows belong? (1 mark)
Ans. Cows belong to the order Artiodactyla.
Ques. What genus do Cows belong to? (1 mark)
Ans. Cows belong to the genus Bos.
Ques. In what type of habitat do Cows live? (1 mark)
Ans. Cows live in forests and grassland
Ques. What is the difference between bison and cows? (1 mark)
Ans. The Bison and the cows vary in size and structure. Bison have large humps and massive heads with the neck blending with their bodies. Whereas, the cows are smaller and have a distinct neck from their bodies and a wider midsection.
Ques. Are cows female? (2 marks)
Ans. Cows are called females after they have given birth at least once. Before giving birth, the cow is called a “heifer. The common term for any member of the herd is Cattle.
Ques. How many stomachs does a cow have? (2 marks)
Ans. A cow has four stomachs. The first two stomachs store the unchewed food by the cow for later. Later when it's the right time a cow will more thoroughly chew food from these two stomachs known as “cud,” before swallowing it into one of the two other stomachs to finish the digestion process.
Ques. Compared to genus, which of the following is less general in characters? (a) Family,(b) Species,(c) Division,(d) Class (1 mark)
Ans. Species are less general in characters as compared to Genus.
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