Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
A Holstein's spots are like a fingerprint or snowflake. No two cows have exactly the same pattern of spots. (Schmitt 1995)
Zebu cattle, which originated in India, are sometimes known as a separate species, Bos indicus. However, current taxonomy recognizes zebu cattle as only a type of Bos taurus. Zebu cattle are characterized by a hump over the shoulder, drooping ears, and large dewlaps. They are well-adapted to arid, tropical climates and are especially resistant to the effects of heat, parasitic insects, and ticks.
- Schmitt, D. August 1995. "Cow Facts" (On-line). Accessed December 15th, 2000. at http://userpages.umbc.edu/~dschmi1/cows/facts.html.
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Bos_taurus/ |
occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
| Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Bos+taurus |
Domestic cows are social animals and live in groups called herds. Each herd is led by a dominant male who is the sole male to mate with the rest of the females.
Mating System: polygynous
Mating may occur year round, though more calves are born in spring months. One calf is born after approximately nine months of gestation. Young Bos taurus are preocial, they learn to recognize their mother and are able to stand and walk soon after birth. Young domestic cows nurse for approximately six months. Females reach sexual maturity at approximately one year and mating can continue to about twelve years.
(Hindsaw 1993; Walker et al. 1975; Huffman 2000)
Breeding interval: Cattle tend to reproduce once yearly.
Breeding season: Breeding occurs throughout the year.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Average gestation period: 9 months.
Average weaning age: 6 months.
Average time to independence: 12 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 1 years.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 1 years.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); viviparous
Average gestation period: 277 days.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 548 days.
Young are nursed by their mother for approximately 6 months and become independent during the following 6 months.
Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care
- Hinshaw, D. 1993. Cattle. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, Inc.
- Walker, E., F. Warnick, S. Hamlet, K. Lange, H. Uible. 1975. Mammals Of The World. London: THe Johns Hopkins University Press.
- Huffman, B. January 1st, 2000. "Artiodactyla" (On-line). Accessed November 22, 2000 at http://www.ultimateungulate.com.
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Bos_taurus/ |
Canada
Origin: Exotic
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
United States
Origin: Exotic
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
| Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Bos+taurus |
The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.
There are 178 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.
Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.
See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
-- end --
Global Range: Distributed worldwide in domestication. Feral populations occur on Kauai, Molokai, and Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands; see Tomich (1986) and Kramer (1971) for extensive accounts of historical and current status in Hawaii; Spain; France; Australia; New Guinea; U.S.; Colombia; Argentina; Galapagos; Hispaniola; Tristan da Cunha; New Amsterdam; and Juan Fernandez Islands (Grubb, in Wilson and Reeder 1993). The Eurasian-North African progenitor of domestic cattle is extinct.
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
| Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Bos+taurus |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 240
Specimens with Barcodes: 418
Species With Barcodes: 1
Domestic cows are large, sturdy animals. Weight ranges from 147 kilograms to 1363 kilograms, and height from 49-52 inches. The body is covered in short hair, the color of which varies from black through white, reddish brown, and brown. Domestic cows have short necks with dewlaps hanging below the chin. They have two hollow horns and a long tufted tail. They can be used as working animals for plowing and moving heavy loads. Domestic cows have no upper incisors, instead they have a thick layer called the dental pad. The jaws are designed for the circular grinding motion used to crush coarse vegetation. (Rath 1998; Walker et al. 1975 Reprogen 1997)
Range mass: 147 to 1363 kg.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: male larger; ornamentation
Average basal metabolic rate: 306.77 W.
- Rath, S. 1998. The Complete Cow. Vancouver, B.C: Raincoast Book.
- Walker, E., F. Warnick, S. Hamlet, K. Lange, H. Uible. 1975. Mammals Of The World. London: THe Johns Hopkins University Press.
- Reprogen, 1997. "Domestic Cattle" (On-line). Accessed October 6th, 2000 at http://www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org/p001.html.
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Bos_taurus/ |
There is some interest in conserving rapidly disappearing rare breeds and breeds that may have desirable qualities, such as Texas longhorn cattle and a number of older European breeds. However, as a species, cattle are not threatened.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Bos_taurus/ |