New Study Reveals Cows Can Distinguish Between Human Faces and Voices
Cows can tell humans apart, new study finds
Popular Science
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A recent study published in PLOS One reveals that domestic cows (Bos taurus taurus) can recognize and differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar humans. The research involved 32 Prim’Holstein cows, which showed a preference for new faces and matched voices to faces, indicating a level of cognitive ability previously underestimated in these animals.
- 01The study involved 32 Prim’Holstein cows, a common dairy breed in France known for high milk production.
- 02Cows demonstrated longer staring times at unfamiliar faces, indicating their ability to distinguish between known and unknown individuals.
- 03When paired with audio, cows spent more time looking at videos where the voice matched the familiar face, showcasing cross-modal recognition.
- 04Heart rate measurements indicated that the cows did not show emotional responses to familiar or unfamiliar voices.
- 05Future research could further explore how cows interact with specific humans to enhance understanding of their welfare.
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A recent study published in the journal PLOS One has revealed that domestic cows, specifically the Prim’Holstein breed, possess the ability to recognize and differentiate between human faces and voices. The research was conducted with 32 cows, which are known for their high milk production, generating around 22,000 pounds in a single lactation. In the study, cows were shown videos of both familiar and unfamiliar male faces without sound, and they demonstrated a preference for staring longer at the unfamiliar faces. This behavior suggests that they can distinguish between known and unknown individuals. Additionally, when the cows watched videos accompanied by audio of the corresponding voices, they spent more time looking at the video that matched the voice they recognized. This indicates their capability for cross-modal recognition, a cognitive skill that allows them to associate different sensory inputs. Interestingly, heart rate measurements showed that neither familiar nor unfamiliar voices elicited an emotional response from the cows. These findings challenge the perception of cows as less intelligent and suggest that further research could provide insights into their social interactions and welfare.
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