What are some behavioral adaptations for cows?

Answer 1

Depending on the type of environment, it will change a characteristic that will be more suitable and give a bigger edge on its survival. For example, the mole - the animal used to have vision but now it is blind. That is due to the fact that it spent a majority of its time underground where it's dark and moist - no need for sight. So as it lost its vision, it increased its other senses of touch and smell immensely which allows it to sense predators from above and food in the ground. These kinds of adaptions are inherited from the parents and past generations.

Allopatric speciation and Sympatric speciation. 1 example of allopatric speciation, is like geographical barriers. Lets say there is a species living in this area. After some time, a mountain or river separates the species to two and one side of the species experience different environment. This species undergo survival of the fittest where the stronger organism that have genes well suited for the environment survives whereas the ones that dont die. This results in a new gene selection. The gene pool of that species changes, and after some time, a new species is formed.

Answer 2

They physically have to change their behaviours and the way they respond to certain environmental factors and stimuli. They would have to grow a winter coat for the winter, or learn to find shelter during a storm, for example. But a lot of the time adaptation is something that is bred or selected genetically (as genetics are affected environmentally and influenced to change to create a new generation better adapted to the new location and environment) either by natural selection without the producer knowing how or what is going on, or by the producer's own ability to know what to look for and what to select for particular animals of a certain breed[s] that are better adapted to the conditions they are living in.

Much of this adaptation selection has been accomplished over several generations after certain breeds have been introduced to a different country. For example, Belgian Blues are selected, both artificially and naturally, to be hardy and able to thrive in much tougher, harsh environments of North American ranching than the Blue's that are raised in Europe under constant, comfortable conditions. This means that, unlike their European counterparts, North American Belgian's aren't selected for extreme muscling, poor calving ease/mothering ability or easy living or to live off of high-quality diets. Instead, while retaining the ability to have double muscling expressed, they must be able to travel well, give birth on their own without trouble (which means without the needed Caesarean section of their European relatives), raise a calf on their own, thrive off of often moderate to good (not necessarily excellent) forage, live outdoors all their lives (often never seeing the inside of a barn) and all over able to look after themselves with minimal human interference. Compared with the Belgian Blues in Europe and from the time the first Belgian Blue cattle showed up in Canada and the USA, such characteristics could only have been selected for as a means to adapt to a much harsher, colder environment than what Europe has to offer.

Answer 3

The response to environmental changes varies from the fodder available and the quality of that fodder to dealing with temperature changes from day to nigh and from season to season. Things also include timing of calving in conjunction with seasonal changes, response to predatory activity (especially with regards to wolves and bears), ability to move from one area to another to find food, plus there's a bit of influence in genetics from the people that are responsible for the animals. So, exactly how a cow is adapted to her environment depends on all these factors. For example, Brahman cows are adapted to hot, humid environments by their thick, loose skin, large ears and presence of sweat glands over their bodies. Galloway cattle are adapted to colder climates due to the long, heavy hair coat the develop in preparation for the winter. However, Galloways can also be found in areas where it is usually warm most of the year and they have been able to adapt to such environmental conditions quite well.

In a nutshell, though, the environmental influences on a cow's DNA or genetics is the main reason for her ability to adapt to the environment she is in or was born in. If she was moved to an entirely different location, climatic- and topographic-wise, it would take her a long time to adapt to such a different area than it would if she were moved to an area that was similar to where she was born and grew up in.

Answer 4

Cows have to be hardy creatures, adept at foraging and looking after themselves with minimal management, and being able to thrive (not survive) off of grass alone. They need to be efficient foragers, have good forage convertability, good to great mothering and herd instincts, tough, good travellers, and able to develop thick hair coats in the winter and slick off in the summer. The bulls themselves also need to be willing and able to travel, and have good fertility and foraging ability to both mate with the cows and to keep himself fed. Cows that get pampered with grain every day won't last very long in a rangeland environment where they may see a human maybe twice a year.

Answer 5

Cows have been artificially selected from their wild ancestors to be livestock. They have lost some of the behavioral and physical adaptations in the process. In their essence, however they are still very instinctive herd animals and will adopt the same defensive strategies their wild counterparts do.

For instance, the herd has a dominant female and male, who are responsible for leading the group to pastures. Being higher assets, they'd better protected by the group in ways that would lessen their chances of being the hunted one, should a predator strike.

In addition:

An example of a behavioural adaptation in domesticated cows is found in dairy cattle. They always take themselves to the designated milking shed at the same time, morning and evening. As well, both beef and dairy cattle will follow the exact same paths (known as cattle pads) to each any destination. These pads can be clearly seen on hillsides and through paddocks.

Answer 6

Cows are adapted to their environment by natural selection. Natural selection is the strongest survive. Cows are able to adapt to environments easily allowing for survival and reproduction.

Answer 7

Cows survive by eating.