Quick answer
Domestic cattle descend from the aurochs and number over one billion worldwide, providing milk, meat, leather, and draft power. Dairy and beef breeds vary enormously — from 400 kg Jerseys to massive Chianina bulls — and cattle farming shapes landscapes, economies, and climate debates globally.
Key takeaway
Domestic cattle descend from the aurochs and number over one billion worldwide, providing milk, meat, leather, and draft power. Dairy and beef breeds vary enormously — from 400 kg Jerseys to massive Chianina bulls — and cattle farming shapes landscapes, economies, and climate debates globally.
Cow overview
Cow (Bos taurus) is a mammal listed here as Domesticated. Typical weight 400–1,200 kg (880–2,650 lb) depending on breed; lifespan around 15–20 years (dairy cows often culled earlier).
Cow ecology
Diet: Herbivore — grass, hay, silage, and grain supplement. Habitat: Farms and rangelands on every inhabited continent. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Cows and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild cows are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Domesticated. See the full Cow profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Domestication from aurochs
Cattle were domesticated from wild aurochs in the Middle East and South Asia roughly 10,000 years ago, independently in some regions. Selective breeding produced dairy breeds optimised for milk, beef breeds for muscle, and draught breeds for pulling ploughs and carts.
Ruminant digestion
Cattle are ruminants with four-chambered stomachs that ferment tough plant fibre through regurgitation and re-chewing ('chewing the cud'). Microbes in the rumen break down cellulose humans cannot digest — but also produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Sources
Cow FAQs
What are key facts about cows?
Domestic cattle descend from the aurochs and number over one billion worldwide, providing milk, meat, leather, and draft power. Dairy and beef breeds vary enormously — from 400 kg Jerseys to massive Chianina bulls — and cattle farming shapes landscapes, economies, and climate debates globally.
What is the scientific name of the cow?
Bos taurus — used in research and conservation listings for cows.
What do cows eat?
Cows eat grass, hay, silage, and grain supplement, with seasonal and regional variation in Farms and rangelands on every inhabited continent.
Where do cows live?
They are associated with Farms and rangelands on every inhabited continent. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of cows?
Listed in our guides as Domesticated. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.