5 Fun Facts About Cows: Debunking Common Myths

When we’re younger, we hear these cool facts about animals and love sharing them to impress our friends. But the facts aren’t always right! Are you guilty for getting these very common myths about cows wrong? Don’t worry, you’re in the majority. Most of us still believe this myths because they are just so interesting! We’re here to inform and help you take your cow trivia game to new heights. We can’t speak for other animals, but you’ll definitely set the record straight when it comes to our favorite bovine friends.

5 Common Myths About Cows You Grew up Believing

As if we needed more reasons to love cows, it’s time to brush up on your cow fun facts! Learning the right cow facts for kids can help them learn about these animals and help them understand how dairy farms work. They might also have a new appreciation for their milk, too. Let’s get started and break down the 5 most common myths about cows you’ve always believed. The truth might shock you!

Myth 1: Cows Have 4 Stomachs.

This is one of the most common myths about cows of all time. We all grew up believing that cows had 4 stomachs and loved impressing people with that fact. But sadly, it’s not true. Cows actually have one stomach with 4 compartments. They belong to a group of animals called ruminants– animals who have 4 stomach compartments. Each compartment has a different purpose for the cow’s digestive system. Here’s a breakdown of these compartments:

1. The Rumen: This is the largest compartment, and it’s where the cow digests her feed. It’s also where nutrients are broken down and fermented, converting into energy.
2. The Reticulum: When the cow’s food gets here next, it gets filtered so that anything the cow wasn’t supposed to eat doesn’t make it any further. For example, she could have accidentally eaten a piece of wire or a rock. Cud is formed here, too.
3. The Omasum: Here, the food is filtered and broken down. Water is squeezed out, and cud is broken down.
4. The Abomasum: This is the final stage. Nutrients found from breaking down the food are either sent into the cow’s bloodstream or her intestines.

Myth 2: Cows Don’t Sweat.

This myth is a little more complicated than a “yes” or “no” answer. Technically, cows don’t sweat in the same way that other mammals do. They don’t have the same type of sweat glands that other animals have. But cows do technically sweat. It’s done through a natural heat evaporation system in the body. Heat evaporates out of their body when they’re too hot, but it happens so fast you may not have noticed any damp skin. So, while they may not be panting or visibly sweating like other animals, they are definitely managing the heat. They also deal with heat through their respiratory glands. When it gets too hot, a cow’s body will naturally begin to store and reduce use of water, like urinating less, to prevent dehydration.

Myth 3: Cows Hate The Color Red.

People believe this because matadors in bullfights use red flags to trigger the bull’s attention. But the truth is that cows actually can’t see the color red. They are red-green colorblind. This means that they see every shade of red and green as a shade of black and grey. But they don’t see entirely black and white! They can also see shades of yellow and blue. So why do matadors always use red flags in their bullfights? It’s the movement of the flag that catches the bull’s attention, not the color of the flag. So the red flag is simply more of a tradition and part of the costume. You’d probably be angry, too, if you had a flag being waved in your face!

Myth 4: Cows Sleep Standing Up

As a child, we group large hoofed animals together in the same categories and believe that they are all similar. That’s why many people believe cows sleep standing up- because horses do. But here’s a fun cattle fact: cows actually sleep laying down, and they lay down for about 10 to 12 hours a day. They actually sleep for about 4 hours a day, and spend the rest of that time just resting. So you can put the cow tipping myth to rest. Cow tipping isn’t actually a real thing. People don’t sneak into pastures to tip cows over while they sleep, since they’re not actually standing up. It would also take way too many people to tip a cow over, since they can weigh over 1,000 pounds! That’s two myths busted in one fun fact!

Myth 5: Only Male Cows Have Horns

When we see an animal with horns, sometimes we automatically assume it’s a male. But did you know that cows are all born with horn nubs, regardless of gender? That’s because horns are genetically equipped with horns to protect themselves from danger in the wild. Therefore, all cows are born with the potential to grow horns. But on dairy farms, vets remove the horns when the cow is born. This is for the cow’s own health and safety. Horns simply aren’t necessary on the farm, and they pose a danger to the other cows when everyone is in the field together.