SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bos taurus taurus holstein

The cow is one of the most common animals in the world and is responsible for supplying around 90 percent of the dairy needs of the world population. In addition to being valuable regarding milk and meat, the cow is also considered sacred in many countries and religions of the world.  Some cows are bred for the amount of milk they provide, while some are bred for meat.  Of the two distinct species of cattle today, Bos taurus (Holstein, Guernsey, Jersey, Brown Swiss) and Bos indicus, Holstein Cows, like that of our cow at Wild Adventures are known for producing large quantities of milk.  If milked twice a day, a Holstein cow is capable of producing more than 65,000 pounds of milk a year. 

At birth, a calf weighs about 90 pounds, and can grow to 1,500 pounds.  Cows are herbivorous animals with a 4-part stomach.  One cow can eat as much as 95 pounds a day and will typically spend six to seven hours per day eating, and around eight hours chewing its “cud,” regurgitated food.  Cattle typically live in areas populated by humans and are best suited to places with grass for grazing.