A Fleckvieh cow standing in an alpine pasture in Switzerland.

Fleckvieh cow near Lake Oeschinen, Switzerland.

Creator: Kim Hansen

Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0

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Species record

Cow

Bos taurus

Explore the Cow (Bos taurus) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

The Cow is the domesticated form of Bos taurus, a bovine raised around the world for milk, meat, hides, and work. Cattle graze plants and use a rumen filled with microbes to help digest fibrous food. Hundreds of managed breeds are adapted to different climates and farming systems.

Classification in this archive

  1. Kingdom: Animals
  2. Phylum: Chordates
  3. Subphylum: Vertebrates
  4. Class: Mammals
  5. Order: Even-toed ungulates
  6. Family: Cattle, antelopes and relatives
  7. Genus: Cattle
  8. Species: Bos taurus

Habitat and distribution

Selected documented locations — not a complete species range.

Habitat
pastures, grasslands, farms, rangelands
Selected regions
North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa
Selected countries
United States, Brazil, India, Germany, Australia, Kenya

Conservation status

The Ark records: Not evaluated.

Did you know?

  • Cattle chew partly digested food again; this is called cud.
  • A cow’s rumen contains microbes that help it digest tough plant fibers.

More images

A Swiss Braunvieh cow standing below Fuorcla Sesvenna in Switzerland.

Swiss Braunvieh cow in the Engadin, Switzerland.

Creator: Daniel Schwen

Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0

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Sources and attribution